The Algarve railway line is closed due to the accident
Six people were injured – two seriously – this morning when a train crashed into a car at the Poço do Barreto level crossing in Silves.
“The rescue operation is complete, with all individuals removed from the scene, including the six injured from the car and the 24 train passengers,” Richard Marques, the sub-regional commander of the Algarve National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, told Lusa.
The accident forced authorites to close the Algarve railway line to make sure safety conditions were ensured.
“Following the completion of rescue operations and confirmation of the track’s condition, train service on the Algarve Line was restored,” infrastructure authority Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) said in a statement. Railway company CP later informed that the line reopened at 11.30am.
Road traffic had already been reopened earlier on the road crossing the Poço Barreto level crossing, located between Alcantarilha and Silves in the municipality of Silves.
There were 24 passengers on the train, 17 of whom were transferred by a bus provided by CP to their destination, according to the deputy commander of Silves Volunteer Firefighters, cited by Observador newspaper.
The rescue operation involved firefighters from Silves and Lagoa, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), and GNR police.
It is still unclear how the collision occured.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
