Cártama tourist train overturns, injuring 17 passengers amid safety probe

A tourist road train carrying visitors between restaurants and bars during a popular food festival in southern Spain overturned on 13 June, injuring 17 people and highlighting the risks associated with visitor transport at destination events.

The incident occurred in Cártama, near Málaga, during the municipality’s annual Ruta de la Tapa y el Cóctel tapas and cocktails festival. According to Andalucía’s emergency services agency, the accident happened shortly after 21:30 when one of the train’s carriages overturned while negotiating a junction on the A-7057/Santo Cristo road. Emergency responders treated 17 passengers at the scene, while four people – including three children – were transferred to hospital for assessment. Authorities confirmed that none of the injuries were serious.

The tourist train, which was operating as a free shuttle service between participating hospitality venues, was carrying around 30 passengers at the time of the accident. The Guardia Civil has opened an investigation into the cause, while Cártama Town Hall suspended the service for the remainder of the event.

The 12th edition of the Ruta de la Tapa y el Cóctel, held from 10–14 June, involved almost 30 local restaurants and bars and is designed to encourage visitors to explore the municipality’s food and beverage offering. Located approximately 17km from Málaga, Cártama attracts both domestic and international visitors exploring Spain’s Costa del Sol region.

While no serious injuries were reported, the incident serves as a reminder for travel insurers, assistance providers, and event organisers of the importance of robust safety and risk management procedures for tourist transport services operating during large-scale destination events.

In January a catastrophic high-speed train collision in southern Spain killed at least 42 people.