A woman died at a bus stop on Thursday night after an unfortunate incident at a transit station. A nearby tiles or wall feature were reported as whitewashed, and the event unfolded as she attempted to board a convoy in motion. The city council confirmed that the accident occurred when the victim’s foot became caught in the gap between the platform edge and the train car, a perilous space that can trap a passenger during openings and closings of carriage doors.
Despite immediate efforts to intervene, the woman could not be rescued before the doors closed and the train moved. Two fire brigades from Servei d’Emergències Mèdiques and the Guardia Urbana de Badalona arrived at the scene, but their interventions were not enough to save her life.
Initial statements from authorities indicate that all signs point to an accidental cause. However, investigators will not rule anything out until a thorough review of security camera footage and witness testimonies has been completed. The Mossos d’Esquadra police force is overseeing the investigation, and authorities are collecting details to determine the factors that led to this tragedy.
TMB recommendations
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona advises passengers to remain vigilant about the space between the platform and the arriving or departing train, particularly at stations with curved platforms where the gap can be wider. People should avoid stepping into the gap while the doors are near closure and should wait for a safe moment to board or alight. Audible signals and visual cues at stations serve as important reminders to keep limbs and belongings clear of the doorways.
precedents
The incident echoes a prior case at the Hospital Clinic station on line 5, where a man became stuck between a carriage and the platform in August 2013. In that event, the man suffered a serious injury but survived. Legal actions followed, with a court determining that the Barcelona metro system was liable for a portion of future prosthetic costs and damages. The court assessed compensation for ongoing medical needs and related costs, highlighting the persistent risk commuters face around platform gaps. These precedents have influenced ongoing safety communications and the emphasis on platform-edge safety measures across the network.