Portugal Seeks Damages After Train Hits Sheep

Portugal’s state infrastructure agency, Infraestruturas de Portugal, is demanding more than €26,000 in compensation from two shepherds after a regional train struck 89 sheep last December, according to DPA. The accident, which occurred on 28 December, caused major disruption to rail traffic.

Portuguese media reported that the train driver spotted the herd lying on the tracks while coming around a bend. Despite braking immediately, he was unable to avoid the collision, and the train only stopped roughly 540 meters after impact. Sixty-five of the animals belonged to one shepherd and 24 to another.

The state agency said the compensation claim reflects both damage to the train and the wider disruption caused to rail services. Following the accident, six train connections were canceled, two others operated only partially and 36 services were delayed for a combined total of nearly ten hours.

The shepherds, however, reject full responsibility and have appealed the claim. Their lawyer, Vítor Gaspar, argued that the collision was an accident and that such incidents are among the inherent risks of railway operations. The dispute is now likely headed to court.

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