A Renfe AVE high-speed train racing from Madrid to Figueres burst into dramatic flames on the afternoon of October 12, 2026, sending a towering column of thick black smoke billowing into the sky near Ricla in the Zaragoza province. The fire broke out in the rear locomotive around 4:05 p.m. while the train was traveling the busy Madrid-Barcelona corridor, forcing an immediate emergency stop. All 283 passengers on board were quickly evacuated to safety following strict protocols, with firefighters from the Zaragoza provincial services racing to battle the intense blaze on difficult terrain. Officials confirmed no serious injuries occurred, though two travelers required medical attention for dizziness amid the chaos and heat. The dramatic incident completely shut down the high-speed line in both directions for more than four hours, leaving thousands stranded as emergency crews worked to contain the fire that left the rear section heavily damaged. Thick smoke and visible flames created a striking and alarming scene captured by witnesses and responders on the ground.

The disruption rippled far beyond the single train, affecting an estimated 11,000 to nearly 20,000 travelers across Renfe services and competing operators including Iryo and Ouigo during the busy holiday return period. Partial service resumed later that evening on a single track while the damaged train remained in place and infrastructure checks continued, though significant delays and cancellations stretched into the following day. Passengers from the affected train were transferred by bus to continue their journeys after the safe evacuation, while many others found themselves waiting for hours at intermediate stations. Investigators have launched a probe into the exact cause of the locomotive fire, which remains undetermined at this stage. The episode has raised fresh questions about maintenance and safety protocols on one of Spain’s busiest high-speed routes, even as authorities emphasized that the rapid response prevented any greater harm. Travelers are being advised to check updated schedules as residual disruptions linger on the vital Madrid-Barcelona connection.