A fire occurred in the rear power car of an AVE high-speed train near Ricla in Zaragoza province on October 12, 2026 at about 4:05 p.m. The train, operated by Renfe, had departed Madrid Puerta de Atocha at 2:27 p.m. en route to Figueres. All 283 passengers on board were evacuated safely. Renfe confirmed no injuries resulted from the fire; however, two individuals received medical assistance during evacuation.
Disruption to High-Speed Rail Traffic
The fire caused suspension of high-speed rail services in both directions along the Madrid-Barcelona corridor, affecting Renfe and other operators Iryo and Ouigo. Adif, the railway infrastructure manager, halted traffic between Calatayud
and Zaragoza and disconnected the overhead electric supply for safety. At least 33 trains and approximately 12,979 passengers were impacted. Eighteen trains could not depart their origin stations, while 14 were held at intermediate stations on the route. Firefighters from the Provincial Council of Zaragoza responded to extinguish the blaze near Ricla.
Resumption of Services and Operational Adjustments
High-speed rail services resumed late on October 12 with ongoing delays. Repairs were conducted while trains ran on a single track between Ricla and Plasencia de Jalón at a temporary speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour. Renfe reorganized train operations by coupling services and adjusting timetables to
maximize capacity. Some affected passengers received alternative road transfers from Calatayud. Passengers remaining at stations were advised to follow official announcements given the unpredictable train departures.
Official Responses and Passenger Rights
Renfe confirmed the fire investigation is ongoing but has not disclosed a technical cause. It allowed free ticket changes and cancellations for travelers affected by the disruption. Adif confirmed the suspension of power and track closures during emergency operations. European Union rail passenger rights apply for delays over 60 minutes, granting options for reimbursement or rerouting. Passengers were reminded to verify ticket conditions and refund eligibility directly with their respective operators, as options might
differ for Iryo and Ouigo. Renfe expected trains held at origin stations to resume service by approximately 11:00 p.m. on October 12, but a full return to normal schedules remained uncertain.
