A tourist train carrying visitors through the town of Cártama in southern Spain overturned on Saturday night, injuring at least 18 people, including nine children, according to local authorities and emergency services.
The accident happened at around 21:40 local time on Santo Cristo Street in Cártama, a municipality in the province of Málaga, while the tourist train was transporting passengers during the town’s popular Ruta de la Tapa y el Cóctel celebrations.
Officials said around 30 passengers were on board when one of the train’s wagons tipped over for reasons that are still under investigation. Emergency responders, including firefighters from the Coín branch of the Provincial Fire Consortium, local police, Guardia Civil officers and medical teams, rushed to the scene to assist the injured and secure the area.
The injured included nine adults and nine minors aged between 5 and 17. Medical staff treated passengers at the scene before transferring them to several hospitals and medical centres by ambulance or private vehicles.
Authorities said no life-threatening injuries had been reported, although several passengers suffered injuries of varying severity. Emergency crews also stabilised the overturned carriage to prevent further movement and ensure the area was safe.
The tourist train service had been operating free of charge during the weekend festivities to help residents and visitors move between different event locations in the town. Following the accident, local officials suspended the tourist train service pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Diputación de Málaga confirmed that firefighters remained at the site overnight to support recovery operations and assist passengers. Local residents were also reported to have helped emergency crews in the immediate aftermath of the overturning.
Investigators are expected to examine whether mechanical failure, speed, road conditions or operational issues contributed to the accident. Authorities have not yet released details about the precise cause.
Tourist road trains, often known in Spain as “tren turístico” or “cochinitas,” are commonly used in holiday destinations and historic towns to transport visitors around local attractions. Serious accidents involving these vehicles are relatively rare in Spain.
The incident drew significant attention across the region because many of the passengers were families attending the weekend festival. Emergency services continued monitoring the situation into Sunday while local authorities reviewed safety conditions before allowing any future tourist train operations.
