Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from a high-speed AVE train after a fire broke out in northeastern Spain, bringing rail traffic on a key section of the Madrid-Barcelona route to a standstill.
The incident unfolded on Monday, October 12, when a train travelling from Madrid towards Figueres, in Girona, caught fire near Ricla, in Zaragoza province. The blaze forced the suspension of high-speed services between Calatayud and Zaragoza, disrupting journeys along one of Spain’s busiest rail corridors.
With passengers removed from the train and emergency crews called to tackle the flames, travellers faced uncertainty over when they would be able to continue their journeys.
Fire breaks out on Madrid-bound route
The train was carrying 283 passengers when the fire was detected in its rear section at around 4.05pm, according to initial reports.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with firefighters from Zaragoza Provincial Council working to extinguish the blaze. Passengers were evacuated as a precaution while the emergency response unfolded.
The fire affected the rear locomotive and an adjoining section of the train. Railway authorities also cut power to the overhead electrical cables to allow emergency teams to work safely.
Two people reportedly required medical attention. They included a woman who experienced dizziness and a passenger with reduced mobility. No serious injuries were reported in the initial accounts.
High-speed services brought to a halt
The incident caused major disruption to trains using the affected section of track, with services suspended in both directions while emergency crews and railway teams dealt with the situation.
The timing compounded the difficulties for travellers. Monday was Spain’s National Day, October 12, which coincided with the return period following the long weekend associated with the Pilar festivities.
Passengers travelling between Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona faced delays and uncertainty, while the impact extended to other high-speed operators using the same railway infrastructure.
Renfe initially said it could not give a reliable estimate for when services would return to normal.
Passengers offered ticket changes
Renfe announced that affected passengers could change or cancel their tickets without paying additional charges.
Alternative transport arrangements were also being considered to help passengers continue their journeys around the disrupted section.
Travellers were advised to check directly with their train operator for updated departure times, alternative connections and replacement transport arrangements before travelling to the station.
When will trains resume?
The full extent of the disruption depended on the emergency response and the railway infrastructure team’s assessment of the affected section.
Although the incident triggered a suspension of services, subsequent updates indicated that a partial resumption was being considered or implemented. Delays could therefore continue even as trains began moving again.
Passengers planning to travel through Zaragoza should check the latest operator announcements before setting off, as the situation may change throughout the day.