Lorraine Williamson
A catastrophic breakdown on Spain’s high-speed rail network left thousands of passengers stranded in sweltering conditions around Seville, after a power failure crippled both long-distance and commuter lines.
The incident has triggered criticism of infrastructure management, with emergency services forced to evacuate vulnerable travellers as trains sat idle for hours.
2,200 people trapped for up to 10 hours
The drama unfolded late Tuesday evening when a fault on the catenary lines—the overhead power system—caused a total shutdown of AVE services between Majarabique and Sevilla Santa Justa stations. The disruption affected nine trains, including five long-distance and four medium-distance services, with a total of 2,200 passengers onboard.
According to Adif, Spain’s railway infrastructure authority, trains lost power on both tracks, forcing technicians to scramble to the scene. Some passengers were trapped inside carriages for up to ten hours. Moreover, there was no clear information, limited air circulation, and rising cabin temperatures during a severe Andalucian heatwave.
By 5.18 am this morning, Adif declared the situation “resolved”, and normal service was gradually restored on the Madrid-Seville AVE line.
Dozens of trains affected across Spain
The knock-on effects were severe. Among the halted services were:
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Avant Málaga–Seville, stopped between Hornachuelos and Guadajoz
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Alvia Madrid–Huelva, halted before arrival
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Avant Granada–Seville, stuck near Majarabique
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AVE Barcelona Sants–Seville, trapped on the line
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Figueres–Vilafant to Seville, stationed in Hornachuelos
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Multiple departures from Seville to Córdoba, cancelled or delayed
A diesel locomotive was eventually dispatched from Hornachuelos in an attempt to tow the powerless MD 13931 train stuck near Seville.
Emergency services deployed
With passengers stuck in dangerously hot conditions, Seville’s emergency services were called into action. Mayor José Luis Sanz confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that police, civil protection officers, firefighters, and even a municipal bus were sent to Miraflores, where one of the worst-affected trains was stopped.
He noted that among the 30+ passengers trapped at that location were individuals with reduced mobility. He added, “Our emergency teams responded swiftly. My thanks go to all the professionals working tirelessly through the night.”
Chaos continued Wednesday morning
Barely hours after the first wave of disruptions, a second major incident paralysed services again on Wednesday morning.
A Ouigo high-speed train suffered a mechanical failure between Seville and Guadajoz, delaying over 340 passengers by two-and-a-half hours. Ouigo later confirmed the issue was detected at 8.30 am, and apologised to affected passengers, promising a full refund for all ticket holders.
Simultaneously, a separate fault disrupted Cercanías (local) lines C1, C4, and C5, leading to widespread delays on Seville’s suburban routes. Passengers on those routes faced average delays of 20 minutes during peak hours.
According to Diario de Sevilla, normal service across all routes only resumed around 1.00 pm on Wednesday.
Summer strain on Spain’s rail network?
The incident is the latest in a string of transport-related failures to hit southern Spain this summer, raising concerns about the resilience of key infrastructure amid extreme heat.
Experts suggest that increased seasonal demand—combined with outdated systems and rising temperatures—may be pushing the AVE network to breaking point. Calls for investment and contingency planning are now intensifying.
Pressure mounts on Adif and Renfe
Renfe’s attempts to reassure passengers via social media—saying staff were “providing information and assistance onboard”—did little to calm frustration as videos and photos emerged showing packed carriages in darkness, passengers fanning themselves or seated on train floors.
Adif’s message at 5.18 am announcing full restoration was met with scepticism online. Passengers took to social platforms to demand compensation, clearer communication, and improved emergency procedures.
Ouigo, meanwhile, promptly issued a formal apology and refund notice, stating:
“We deeply regret the inconvenience and thank passengers for their understanding.”
Confidence derailing?
For many, this week’s chaos represents more than just an inconvenience. It’s a warning signal about Spain’s high-speed infrastructure under pressure. While services are now running normally again, the damage to public trust may take longer to repair.
As Spain braces for more extreme weather in the coming weeks, rail users will be hoping this isn’t a sign of things to come.