Spain subway crash—30 killed

[StevieC48]

CNN

MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- At least 30 people have been killed in a subway train derailment in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia, CNN's partner channel CNN+ reported on Monday.

Emergency service officials told Reuters they did not know what caused the metro train to run off the tracks and possibly overturn.

CNN+ also reported that 12 people were seriously injured in the crash.

[bellstbarn]

Is this a light-rail subway with narrow gauge? High platform or low? One article said the route opened in 1998, and the article used the initials FGV. Decades ago, there was a narrow gauge FGV, I believe, going out through orange groves, or I could be confused about nomenclature.

[bellstbarn]

Link to metrovalencia map:
http://www.metrovalencia.com/metroval/h ... e/home.asp
Click on the word Info below the paragraph.

A news article explained that the Route 1 train crashed having left Jesus station in the direction of Torrent. As in Paris and Madrid, routes are designated by the terminal. This would appear to be traveling southwest, possibly a short-turn at Torrent. I wonder whether there was any speed control. I have not yet answered my own questions about gauge and platform height.

Local news link:
http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/edicion/

[bellstbarn]

This is a worthwhile system description in English:
http://urbanrail.net/eu/val/valencia.htm

[David Benton]

thanks for the reports .
Death toll now up to 41 . appears a faulty wheel and excess speed to blame . Terrorist attack ruled out as a possible cause .

[jg greenwood]

www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?articleid=28985

[george matthews]

thanks for the reports .
Death toll now up to 41 . appears a faulty wheel and excess speed to blame . Terrorist attack ruled out as a possible cause .

The Spanish authorities now say that speed is the only factor. The driver was killed so it may never be possible to know why he was speeding.