A high-speed train from the Ouigo company that made the journey between Madrid and Barcelona broke down on Wednesday afternoon when it was passing through a tunnel in Roda de Berà (Tarragona). The 463 travelers on board, who had left the Spanish capital at 2:15 p.m., found themselves trapped from mid-afternoon until late at night when they were towed away by another train. In total, they spent more than six hours in the tunnel.
Some users conveyed their anger and concern through social networks due to the lack of information they received and the conditions in which they had to remain in the wagons. “You can’t see anything, it’s hard to open the doors and the worst thing is that the train is crooked, it’s hard to walk and go from side to side,” explained a passenger. Others complained about the “heat” and the “dizziness” they suffered: “they don’t give us food,” said another young woman.
It was at nine o’clock at night when a tug began to transfer the passengers to Camp de Tarragona, where they had to catch another train that took them to Barcelona after midnight. A journey between Madrid and Barcelona of two and a half hours ended up lasting more than ten.
On arrival, the outrage continued, although many users highlighted the “calm” of the passengers despite the discomfort and anguish of being locked up. “It was very hot, the toilets stopped working…” said a woman on TV3. They only gave them water, but no food.
Despite the breakdown of the convoy, the infrastructure was not affected and the rest of the companies were able to continue driving normally. In contrast, the other Ouigo trains suffered delays. According to the high-speed low-cost train company, which has accumulated incidents in the last year that have affected thousands of passengers, it was due to a “technical problem”.
Ouigo assured that all affected travelers will receive 100% of the ticket price, although the first complaints have already appeared on the networks because they are vouchers for another free journey with the French company. “And if I don’t want to travel with you again?” Asked another user.
