On a Saturday evening in June, a tourist train carrying about 30 passengers overturned on a street in the Spanish town of Cártama, near Málaga, injuring at least 17 people, including several children. The train was operating as a free ride during a local tapas festival, and while none of the injuries were serious, the accident has raised questions about the safety of these popular sightseeing vehicles.
Tourist trains, also known as road trains, are small, open carriages pulled by a motorised vehicle—often designed to look like a train—that carry passengers on short tours around towns, resorts, and festivals. They are a common sight in European holiday destinations, offering a convenient way to see sights without walking. The train in Cártama was part of an annual event called la Ruta de la Tapa y el Cóctel (Tapas and Cocktails Tour), where visitors hop on and off to sample food and drink at participating businesses.
“What happened when a tourist train overturned in Spain, and what you need to know about tourist train safety.”
Accidents involving tourist trains are rare but not unheard of. They can occur when the vehicle turns sharply, hits an obstacle, or becomes unstable due to speed or uneven terrain. In this case, the incident happened just after 21:30 local time as the train was navigating a crossing on Santo Cristo road. The exact cause is still under investigation, and local authorities have suspended the train service for the weekend while inquiries continue.
For UK readers, this matters because the Costa del Sol—including Málaga and Marbella—is one of the most popular holiday destinations for British tourists. Every year, thousands of Britons visit the region and many may use tourist trains during their stay. While such accidents are infrequent, this incident serves as a reminder that any form of transport carries some risk, and that local safety regulations can vary. The incident also highlights the importance of proper maintenance and operator training, especially for vehicles carrying large numbers of passengers, including children.
Q: What is a tourist train? A tourist train is a motorised vehicle designed to look like a train, pulling one or more open carriages. It is used for short sightseeing trips around towns, resorts, or special events, and often follows a fixed route with stops at attractions or businesses.
Q: How safe are tourist trains? Tourist trains are generally safe when properly maintained and operated. Accidents are uncommon, but can occur due to sharp turns, obstacles, driver error, or vehicle instability. The Cártama incident is under investigation, and no serious injuries were reported.
Q: What happened in Cártama? On 10 June, a tourist train carrying around 30 passengers overturned while turning on a street in Cártama. Seventeen people were injured, four of whom—including three children—were taken to hospital. None were seriously hurt. The train was part of the town's Tapas and Cocktails Tour, a four-day festival. The service was suspended pending an investigation.
What happens next? Local police and emergency services are investigating the cause of the accident. The train service remains suspended as of the weekend of the incident, and it is unclear if or when it will resume. The tapas festival ended on 14 June, and no further events involving the train have been announced. For now, the authorities are focused on determining why the train overturned and whether any safety measures need to be improved.