A cable theft has brought train traffic between Lleida and La Plana-Picamoixons to a standstill. Fires and severe infrastructure damage have left no clear date for service restoration. Renfe has launched emergency road transport.
Train services between Lleida and La Plana-Picamoixons in Tarragona remain completely suspended after a cable theft late last night triggered multiple fires and caused extensive damage to critical railway infrastructure. The incident, confirmed by Adif, has left the region without a clear timeline for restoring normal rail operations, as the scale of the disruption is described as significant.
The affected routes include the R13 and R14 Rodalies lines, which are key for medium-distance travel between Barcelona and Lleida via both Valls and Reus. In response, Renfe has implemented an alternative road transport plan for passengers, while freight trains are being rerouted through the Zaragoza-Móra-Barcelona corridor. According to Adif, the systems targeted in the theft are essential for train regulation and safety, and the complexity of the damage means repairs are expected to take several days at minimum.
Technical teams from Adif are currently assessing the structural impact on the railway installations, designing technical solutions for replacement, and preparing phased work plans to gradually restore affected systems. However, due to the severity of the situation, no estimate has been given for when train circulation might resume.
The disruption began around 23:00, when Adif detected power outages at several substations and irregularities in track circuits between Lleida and La Plana-Picamoixons. The first fire broke out at a signal cabin in Vinaixa station, directly linked to the theft of electrification cables and the severing of fiber optic lines. The blaze then spread to nearby infrastructure, impacting the Vinaixa-Riu Milans and Vinaixa-Canal d’Urgell sections. Key traffic control systems (enclavamientos) at Vinaixa and Canal d’Urgell were destroyed, while the condition of those at Riu Milans and Les Borges Blanques is still under review. For safety, the catenary power supply between La Plana-Picamoixons and Les Borges Blanques remains disconnected to allow firefighters to extinguish remaining hotspots.
Once the full extent of the damage is determined, Adif plans to file a formal complaint with the Mossos d’Esquadra. The incident has forced authorities to coordinate emergency measures and highlights the vulnerability of critical transport infrastructure to targeted theft. This event follows a broader trend of high-profile robberies affecting public services in Spain, such as the recent violent home invasion in León involving the ‘Tren de Aragua’ gang, which led to several arrests as reported in a related case involving organized crime and infrastructure attacks.
Railway cable thefts have become a growing concern across Europe, often resulting in major service disruptions, costly repairs, and heightened security measures. In Spain, the rail network is a vital link for both commuters and freight, especially in regions like Catalonia where alternative transport options are limited. The current incident underscores the operational and economic risks posed by such criminal acts, as well as the challenges faced by authorities in safeguarding essential infrastructure. As the investigation continues and repair crews work to restore service, passengers and businesses in the affected corridor face ongoing uncertainty and delays.
