A woman narrowly escaped tragedy in a devastating train accident in Spain by changing carriages when she couldn’t access a restroom. Her decision to move from the eighth to the fifth carriage proved to be life-saving, as many passengers in the eighth carriage perished, while everyone in the fifth carriage survived.

The incident, which claimed the lives of at least 39 individuals, remains under investigation by authorities. Spain’s Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, described the collision as a perplexing event, especially considering the recent track renovations and that both trains were operating within speed limits.

One of the passengers, Lucas Merakio from Argentina, recounted the harrowing experience of being in the fifth carriage of the Madrid-bound Iryo train that collided with another Renfe train traveling in the opposite direction towards Huelva. He shared stories of the chaos onboard, including a young girl frantically searching for her parents and foreign passengers struggling to comprehend the situation.

In an interview with a Spanish TV station, Lucas described the intense moments leading up to the crash, highlighting the sudden vibrations and the terrifying derailment of the eighth carriage. As panic ensued with passengers screaming and the lights going out, Lucas and others rushed to aid the injured until help arrived.

The aftermath at Adamuz Station revealed the extent of the injuries, with victims suffering broken bones and severe cuts. Medical personnel were overwhelmed by the influx of wounded individuals, including a young girl separated from her parents. The scene was described as chaotic and tragic, with the discovery of fatalities in the overturned eighth carriage adding to the grim reality of the situation.