Tourist train overturns and injures 17 during Cártama tapas festival

Ayuntamiento Cártama

Seventeen people have been injured after the wagon of a tourist train overturned in the Spanish town of Cártama.

The accident happened just after 21:30 local time (20:30 BST) on Saturday evening, according to local authorities. The cause is unknown.

Emergency teams attended to the injured at the scene and four were later evacuated to a nearby hospital, including three children. None of the victims suffered serious injuries, local authorities said.

The free train ride was part of an annual event called la Ruta de la Tapa y el Cóctel, where people are encouraged to visit different local businesses to try their food and drink offerings.

The road train was carrying carrying around 30 passengers at the time of the incident.

Photos shared on social media show several people aboard the wagon while emergency services attend to a child sat on the floor.

The event, happening from the 10 to 14 June, provides a map across the city highlighting several restaurants and bars. The train stops along the route to drop people off at the establishments.

Customers can get stamps from trying different food and drinks and later be entered into a raffle for prizes.

Ayuntamiento Cártama

The accident happened while the train had been turning at a crossing in Santo Cristo road, local authorities said, citing several calls to emergency services.

The train service has been suspended for the weekend while investigations are ongoing.

The town of Cártama, in southern Spain, is located just 17 km (10.6 mile) from the popular tourist destination of Málaga, and a 44-minute drive to the wealthy resort town of Marbella.