A sudden loss of electrical power at La Sagrera station suspended high-speed rail traffic between Barcelona and Girona on Sunday morning. The incident occurred just before 9:00, leaving two trains immobilized and forcing operators to halt all AVE and Avant services on the route. Renfe said a voltage drop in the overhead catenary system caused the disruption, affecting scheduled departures and passenger travel.
The first affected train, an Avant service from Barcelona to Figueres, was due to depart at 8:07 but stopped at La Sagrera with around thirty passengers on board. Nine minutes later, a Barcelona-Lyon high-speed train was scheduled to leave. It also had to interrupt its journey and return to Sants station. Emergency teams coordinated the evacuation of passengers from both trains as technical crews investigated the electrical failure.
Protection Civil confirmed on social media that a lack of voltage on the line caused the interruption. The Ferrocat emergency plan was activated in the pre-alert phase, bringing in additional resources to manage the situation and limit further complications. The suspension of high-speed services between Barcelona and Girona caused immediate delays, leaving travelers to seek alternative routes or wait for updates from railway authorities.
No one was injured, and the incident was resolved. Similar transport interruptions have affected the region before, including the metro collapse in Sant Gervasi, which displaced residents for months and required extensive repairs, as reported in coverage of the Barcelona metro sinkhole. The incidents highlight the value of rapid-response protocols and continued investment in rail system reliability.
Spain's high-speed rail network is among Europe's most extensive, connecting major cities and supporting domestic and international travel. Disruptions like the one at La Sagrera can affect regional mobility, particularly on weekends when passenger volumes are high. Activating the Ferrocat plan showed how local authorities respond to emergencies, while the incident also highlights the need to monitor and maintain basic infrastructure. As of midday, Renfe had not provided a timeline for the full restoration of service and advised passengers to check for updates before planning their journeys.
