This October 28, two high-speed trains collided in Spain on the line that connects Madrid to the southern Andalusia region, causing at least 68 fatalities.
The crash happened nine months after another collision on the same line involving trains from the same operators. The January 18 disaster killed 46 people after one train derailed near Adamuz, in Córdoba province, and struck an approaching train. It also sparked debate over whether enough resources had been spent on railway maintenance.
Indeed, since the mid-19th century, history has recorded some terrible train crashes. Whether due to brake failures, derailments, accidental fires, or human error, a rail wreck is a traumatic and very often fatal event. Fortunately, accidents are rare occurrences given the advancements in railway safety technology. But they can—and do—still happen.
Click through and be reminded of dramatic train crashes through the ages.