Seventeen people, including three children, were left shaken but lucky after a tourist train overturned in the Spanish town of Cártama on Saturday evening. The wagon, carrying around 30 passengers as part of the annual Tapas Festival, crashed while making a turn at a crossing on Santo Cristo road just before 9:30 PM local time (8:30 PM BST).
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with four people - including three children - being taken to hospital for further assessment. Thankfully, none of the injuries are considered serious. The train service was an integral part of the festival, offering a complimentary route through Cártama's local businesses.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, with authorities working to determine the circumstances leading up to it. Social media images from the scene show emergency personnel assisting those affected. As a result of the incident and ongoing inquiry, the tourist train service has been suspended for the remainder of the weekend.
Cártama, situated in southern Spain near Málaga, is a popular destination for tourists seeking authentic Spanish experiences. The town's Tapas Festival, which runs until June 14th, encourages visitors to sample local food and drink at participating restaurants and bars. With its proximity to major tourist hubs like Marbella and Málaga, Cártama attracts many British holidaymakers each year.
The festival provides a map for participants to collect stamps as they try different items, entering them into a prize raffle in the process. Such local events are a draw for tourists seeking a genuine taste of Spanish culture beyond the more well-known coastal resorts.