Nine workers sustained injuries in a morning incident on the Asturian stretch of the Pajares Bypass, where two rail trucks—the devices used during the installation work of the catenary on the railway variant—collided inside the six-kilometer Los Pontones tunnel. The collision involved gear and equipment that crews rely on daily to advance critical infrastructure, and the moment of impact sent ripples through the project timeline that had been aimed at improving regional rail reliability. Eyewitnesses and first responders described a scene of scattered equipment, alarms, and hurried assessments as the tunnel’s confined space transformed into a temporary workspace for triage and coordination. The accident’s location inside Los Pontones, a segment known for its length and technical demands, underscores the inherent risks present in heavy construction work that intertwines movement, heavy machinery, and live electrical systems. The immediate priority was to secure the area, treat the injured, and preserve any potential evidence that could explain how the collision occurred in such a controlled but hazardous environment.
Officials indicate the injuries were initially reported as minor, and preliminary assessments suggested that none of the affected workers faced life-threatening conditions. Early accounts note that four of the workers were transported to the Hayati Alvarez Buylla Hospital by ambulance, while the remaining five, including several who sought care independently, were able to reach medical facilities or receive on-site attention as needed. Medical teams performed continuous monitoring, ensuring that any delayed symptoms would be detected promptly, given the nature of injuries that can worsen after a few hours in mine-like tunnel environments. The hospital and on-site medical staff coordinated closely to determine the appropriate level of care for each patient, with plans to monitor vitals, manage pain, and arrange follow-up evaluations as part of a standard post-incident protocol.
The Civil Guard received the alert at 07:05, triggering a rapid response from patrols affiliated with Citizens’ Security, Pola de Lena, Mieres Traffic Detachment, and the Mieres Judicial Police Regional Team. Investigators initiated a formal inquiry into the accident to establish the sequence of events, identify contributing factors, and determine whether safety procedures and equipment norms were adhered to at the time of the collision. The investigation includes a review of maintenance logs, worker rosters, and the operational status of the catenary installation gear, as well as an examination of tunnel safety protocols and emergency response timings. In the wake of the incident, managers overseeing the Pajares Bypass project have pledged to cooperate fully, share findings with the relevant authorities, and implement any recommended safety enhancements to prevent a recurrence in similar construction zones.