Electrification Incident Causes Chaos at Madrid Chamartín Station
An incident affecting the electrification of the Madrid Chamartín-Clara Campoamor station has led to significant disruptions on Tuesday, resulting in delays for high-speed trains. According to the X account of Infoadif, the trouble began when an electric cable broke and fell onto one of the tracks at approximately 3:35 PM. This unexpected failure has left platforms 19, 20, and 21, which service high-speed trains, non-operational.
The disruption has notably affected high-speed train routes on the Madrid-Levante line, impacting journeys to Valencia, Alicante, and Murcia. Other affected routes include services to North Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. However, high-speed trains heading to Catalonia continue to operate as they depart from the Atocha station, which has not been impacted by this incident.
As of now, details regarding the cause of the cable failure remain unclear, but Adif sources confirmed that their personnel are actively working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. They have indicated that all trains capable of departing are being dispatched from the five available tracks that are operational.
In response to the rising chaos, travelers have taken to social media to express their frustration. One user shared a video depicting the overwhelmed crowds at the station, captioned, "Chaos in Chamartin. All trains delayed and no one explains anything."
To manage the situation, Adif has activated its emergency protocols at Chamartín station. These measures include regulating access to the platforms to prevent overcrowding, diverting security patrols to assist at the station, and increasing the number of staff available to help vulnerable travelers. Additionally, a request for the presence of state security forces, including a mobile brigade and the national police intervention unit (UIP), has been made to ensure order and safety during this challenging time.
As the situation develops, passengers are encouraged to stay updated through official channels and to remain patient as authorities work to rectify the disruption.
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