A New York Times photographer's unexpected finding at the site of a deadly train accident in southern Spain has created a major stir in the Spanish press. The incident, which resulted in 45 fatalities, saw photographer Finnbarr O’Reilly uncover a crucial piece of evidence that brought the thoroughness of the initial investigation into question. His account highlights the often-unforeseen paths journalistic inquiry can take.
O'Reilly recounted his experience in an article for the Times. Responding to an urgent request from his editor, he traveled from Barcelona to the crash site, arriving approximately 22 hours after the disaster. The initial cause of the derailment, which occurred on a seemingly well-maintained stretch of track, remained a puzzle. O'Reilly's strategy was to meticulously document the wreckage from every possible angle, adopting a forensic approach to his photography.
Upon his arrival, O'Reilly encountered the usual official restrictions on access. He initially scaled a nearby hill to capture an overview, but the presence of a patrolling drone indicated that he was too close. Despite this, his photograph from the hill was compelling enough to be featured on the front page of the Times the following day. However, O'Reilly understood that the story required more in-depth investigation.
Determined to find a different perspective, O'Reilly returned before dawn the next day. He traversed through challenging terrain, including forests and streams, eventually discovering a new vantage point within some bushes. From there, he could partially view the second train, located a considerable distance from the main wreckage. It was on his return journey from this location that he made his pivotal discovery.
While navigating through thick undergrowth, O'Reilly stumbled upon a large metal object submerged in a stream. Initially dismissing it as debris, he quickly realized its potential significance. This object was identified as a bogie, a part of the train's undercarriage, which was noticeably absent from the train featured in his earlier front-page photograph. Recognizing it as critical evidence, he photographed it without disturbing the scene and immediately informed his colleagues, who then alerted the authorities and launched their own inquiry.
The subsequent publication of O'Reilly's story and photographs caused a massive reaction across Spanish media. This revelation prompted widespread questioning of the official investigation's comprehensiveness. Although authorities stated they were aware of the debris, they did not clarify when this awareness began. A preliminary report by the rail accident investigation body, CIAF, later attributed the accident to a rail fracture that likely occurred before the train's derailment.
This incident underscores the vital role photojournalism plays in public accountability and how a single discovery can dramatically alter the course of an investigation. O'Reilly's dedication to capturing the full scope of the tragedy not only provided critical insights into the cause of the crash but also ignited an essential dialogue about investigative diligence.