A fire on October 12 at approximately 16:05 damaged a high-speed AVE train near Ricla, Zaragoza, on Spain’s Madrid-Barcelona corridor. The fire broke out in the train’s rear cab and led to the evacuation of 283 passengers without injuries. The incident caused an immediate interruption in service on one of Spain’s busiest rail sections.
The disruption affected 33 Renfe AVE trains and 12,979 passengers travelling along the route operated by Renfe, Ouigo, and iryo. The fire-affected train had departed Madrid Puerta de Atocha at 14:27, headed for Figueres, and was near Ricla when the incident occurred.
Infrastructure Inspection and Temporary Single-Track Operation
Following extinguishing of the
fire by firefighters, Adif, the Spanish railway infrastructure manager, inspected the track and authorised phased resumption of train movements. Services currently use a single track between Ricla and Plasencia de Jalón, west of Zaragoza, due to the disabled train remaining on the line. A temporary speed limit of 80 km/h applies in this section.
Single-track operation reduces the route’s capacity, causing delays as trains travelling in opposing directions must share one track. Adif has not announced when the affected train will be removed or when full double-track service will resume, prolonging reduced operational capacity.
Passenger Impact and Service Delays
The incident disrupted travel for nearly
13,000 passengers, with 18 trains held at originating stations and another 14 stranded at stations en route. As of October 13, services have resumed but some trains are operating up to an hour behind schedule. Barcelona’s Sants station experienced crowding and long queues during the disruption.
Renfe is offering free ticket changes and refunds for passengers affected by cancellations or significant delays. Departure and arrival times published may not accurately reflect delays accumulating along the route, and travellers should check directly with their train operators for updates.
Official Updates and Ongoing Investigation
Adif confirmed that inspections following the fire were completed and authorised gradual restoration
of train service. Renfe reported no injuries from the incident and detailed the number of affected trains and passengers. The operator also committed to providing ticket flexibility for disrupted travellers.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Renfe. The disruption occurred on a key high-speed rail corridor connecting Madrid, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, used by domestic and international travellers.
Passengers are advised to anticipate continued delays due to single-track operation and to allow extra time for journeys on the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed route. Checking service status with the respective train operators—Renfe, Ouigo, or iryo—is recommended before travel.
