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Major Valencia-Madrid train delays leave thousands stranded
Many people complained of being unable to vote yesterday due to a railway tunnel that caught fire in Valencia, Spain
More than 9,000 people had their trains delayed or cancelled in Valencia and Madrid this Sunday July 23, the day on which Spaniards were supposed to go to the polls to vote in the general elections.
The major travel disruption was caused after a fire broke early in the morning out on the approach to the Valencia city’s Joaquín Sorolla train station, specifically in the San Isidro tunnel. The problem was further complicated when the tunnel was flooded by the water that the firefighters used to put out the flames.
All the main Spanish train companies were affected by the incident, including the Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo high-speed AVE trains that connect Valencia – Spain’s third largest city – with the Chamartín station in the capital city, Madrid.
More than 4,000 of those affected were supposed to be on Ouigo trains and around 5,000 Renfe passengers, who were relocated to other means of transport, mainly alternative services via Alicante or Albacete. It is unknown how many Iryo customers were affected.
Some people were hours late and made to wait all day, either at various stations or on stationary trains. This is any rail passenger’s worst nightmare, but this was a particularly bad day for disaster to strike as it meant that many people were reportedly unable to vote in Spain’s decisive elections.
Renfe customers who are more than 30 minutes late are able to request a full refund on the price they paid for their ticket. Ouigo has also assured that it will refund 100% of the ticket price to passengers, who will also receive 200% compensation, even though they are not obliged to offer any such thing.
Image: Archive
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