A technical report into the fatal train crash in Cordoba which killed 46 people and injured more than 120 suggests the rail may have fractured nearly a full day before the accident.

According to early findings from Spain’s railway accident investigation body (CIAF), a drop in electrical tension detected in track circuits could be linked to a break in the line around 22 hours before the Iryo train derailed and collided with an Alvia service near Adamuz.

The hypothesis is still being analysed, but is based on signal data recorded by the system operated by Hitachi.

Investigators are also looking closely at the condition of the rail itself, particularly a welded section where the break occurred.

Reports point to possible irregularities in the documentation linked to those welds, including signatures that may not be original.

These concerns have been passed to the Guardia Civil, which is continuing its own inquiry.

The working theory is that a defective weld may have caused the derailment, although this has not yet been confirmed.

The CIAF says the crash happened in just 15 seconds.

The first sign of trouble came at 19:43:29, when the Iryo train experienced an electrical fault while travelling at over 200km/hr.

Seconds later, the derailment triggered emergency braking on the approaching Alvia train, but there was not enough time to avoid a collision.

So far, authorities say sabotage or terrorism is considered highly unlikely.

They are still examining other possible causes, including maintenance issues and operational factors, although there is currently no clear evidence of driver error.

Several lines of investigation remain open, with further technical analysis and expert reports expected to determine the exact cause of one of Spain’s deadliest rail disasters in recent years.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.