Terrified passengers screamed “Someone could have died” as a tourist train carriage toppled over in the Spanish town of Cártama during its annual tapas festival. The accident just after 9:30pm on Saturday sent 17 people to hospital, including three children, though local authorities said none of the injuries were serious.
The red carriage lay on its side in the middle of Santo Cristo road, according to images shared on social media. Firefighters and police raced to the scene after several calls to emergency services. One witness told local media: "Everyone was crying. They were saying over and over that someone could have died. There was blood on the floor and broken glass."
“17 injured after tourist train overturns in Cártama, Spain, during tapas festival; no serious injuries.”
The free train ride was part of the Ruta de la Tapa y el Cóctel, a four-day festival running from 10 to 14 June that encourages visitors to sample tapas and cocktails at local businesses. Around 30 passengers were on board when the wagon overturned while turning at a crossing, authorities said. The cause remains under investigation.
Four victims — three children and one adult — were evacuated to a nearby hospital, while others were treated at the scene. The Sun reported that 18 people were taken to hospital, including nine children aged between five and 17, but official figures from local authorities put the count at 17, with no serious injuries.
The train service has been suspended for the remainder of the weekend while investigations continue. Cártama, located 17km from Málaga and a 44-minute drive from Marbella, is a hotspot for British tourists. Local police said on Sunday morning: “The injured were treated at different hospitals. There are no serious injuries. The cause of the accident is still under investigation and yet to be determined.”