A fire broke out on an AVE high-speed train traveling from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Figueres near Ricla in Zaragoza province on October 12, 2026, at approximately 16:05. The incident caused an immediate suspension of rail traffic west of Zaragoza on the Madrid–Barcelona high-speed corridor.
All 283 passengers aboard the train were evacuated safely without injury. The fire ignited in the rear cab of the train, prompting emergency response teams to extinguish the blaze, after which a safety inspection of the infrastructure was conducted.
Service Resumption Under Single-Track Operations
Following the completion of firefighting efforts and infrastructure checks, Adif, Spain’s railway infrastructure manager, authorized
the gradual restoration of train movements through the affected section between Ricla and Plasencia de Jalón. However, because of fire-related damage and the presence of the affected train, services operate on a single track, reducing capacity and extending journey times.
A temporary speed restriction of 80 km/h has been imposed on this section. Adif has not announced a definite timeline for removing the damaged train or for returning to normal double-track operation.
Scope of Disruption and Operational Adjustments
According to Renfe, the Spanish state operator managing AVE services, 33 trains and 12,979 passengers were impacted. Eighteen trains were held at their points of origin while 14
were stranded at stations along the route due to the suspension and subsequent restrictions.
Passengers on trains departing Barcelona experienced delays exceeding two hours on October 12, with some services still running up to one hour behind schedule on October 13. Renfe has implemented measures such as coupling trains and adjusting schedules to maximize capacity on the affected corridor.
Renfe is offering affected passengers free ticket changes and refunds. Passengers are advised to consult their respective train operators—including Renfe, Ouigo, and iryo—for the latest travel information, as departure times may not reflect accumulating delays during single-track operation.
Passenger Impact and Ongoing Investigation
Delays and service
disruptions have resulted in overcrowding and long queues, notably at Barcelona Sants station. Travelers connecting to flights at Madrid or Barcelona airports should allow additional time for transfers.
Renfe has initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire, limited to its origin in the rear cab near Ricla. No further details have been released, and no estimate has been provided regarding the duration of ongoing disruptions or full restoration of two-track traffic.
The Madrid–Barcelona high-speed corridor remains operational under these constraints, with multiple operators continuing to serve the route amid reduced capacity and extended journey times.
