FOUR people were killed and three others injured when a commuter train hit them as they crossed a railway line in Catalonia, northeastern Spain yesterday, emergency services said.

The accident happened when a group of seven people attempted to cross the railway line in Montmelo about 20km north of Barcelona, Catalonia’s emergency services wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Spanish media said a music festival was held nearby last night, the eve of a holiday in Catalonia.

“We searched for other possible victims near the train. We did not find any others. We also helped evacuate the area and take the injured to ambulances,” the regional firefighting force wrote on X.

Emergency services dispatched nine ambulances and a helicopter to the scene.

The roughly 170 people who were on board the commuter train did not require medical attention.

Train services along part of the line were suspended following the fatal accident.

Transport Minister Raquel Sanchez offered her condolences to the families of the victims and expressed her support on social media for the emergency services workers dealing “with this very difficult situation.”

The head of the regional government of Catalonia, Pere Aragones, said he was “completely distraught” by the tragedy.

“Emergency services are continuing to work and offering support to the victims and their families. police are investigating the causes of the accident,” he added.

In June 2010 an express train struck a group of people who were crossing the railway in the beach resort of Castelldefels, killing 12 people.

The people crossing the line on that occasion had just got off a commuter train and were crossing the track to get to the beach where a concert was being held to celebrate the summer solstice.

Some people complained at the time that an underpass exit was poorly marked and an old crossing was blocked off, leaving travellers confused. – AFP, September 11, 2023.