Emergency services have successfully contained a gas leak from a freight train carrying hazardous materials at the station in La Llagosta, a town in the Vallès Oriental comarca just north of Barcelona. This incident prompted a pre-alert from Catalonia’s civil protection agency and a temporary halt to commuter train stops at the station on Thursday morning.

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Emergency services detected a gas leak at approximately 7:15 AM in a wagon of a stationary freight train at the town’s busy freight terminal. In response, the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Civil Protection agency (Protecció Civil) activated the pre-alert phase of its TRANSCAT plan. This special emergency protocol covers accidents involving the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail.

Rapid Emergency Response

The Catalan Fire Brigade dispatched six units from the Bombers de la Generalitat to the scene to assess and manage the situation. They quickly identified the substance as refrigerated liquid argon (UN 1951). While classified as a hazardous material due to being transported under high pressure and at extremely low temperatures, argon itself is an inert, non-toxic gas. The primary risks associated with a leak involve potential asphyxiation in confined spaces and cryogenic burns from contact with the liquid, as detailed in its safety data sheet.

As a precautionary measure, emergency services requested a temporary halt to Rodalies commuter train stops on the R2 and R2 Nord lines at La Llagosta station. The pre-alert phase of the FERROCAT plan, which addresses general rail emergencies, was also activated. However, wider rail traffic remained unaffected, preventing the significant delays that have recently plagued the network, as seen in the ongoing Catalonia rail crisis.

Situation Contained and Services Restored

By 10:00 AM, the Bombers had successfully brought the leak under control. Subsequently, Protecció Civil deactivated the pre-alert, and normal service on the Rodalies lines resumed, with trains once again stopping at La Llagosta. According to a statement reported by La Vanguardia, responsibility for the affected wagon passed to the company that owns its contents, which will now manage the necessary actions to ensure its safe onward transport.

This incident underscores the importance of the region’s emergency protocols for handling hazardous materials, frequently transported via Catalonia’s critical freight corridors. The efficient response prevented a more serious situation, unlike recent gas emergencies in the Barcelona area, such as a major leak in L’Hospitalital that shut down a key thoroughfare.

During the alert, Protecció Civil shared general safety advice for chemical accidents, reminding the public of the importance of sheltering indoors. “The best way to be protected in case of a chemical accident is to avoid remaining outdoors,” the agency advised. “Therefore, the self-protection measure is confinement, taking refuge in the nearest building and staying there until you are told there is no longer a risk outside.”

This morning’s freight train incident also highlights the vital role of rail freight for the region’s economy. This sector faces its own infrastructure challenges, including long-term disruption from Rubí tunnel repairs affecting Port of Barcelona access.