ADAMUZ, Spain (AP) – A catastrophic high-speed train collision occurred on Sunday evening in southern Spain, resulting in at least 21 fatalities and numerous injuries. The accident involved a train traveling from Malaga to Madrid, carrying approximately 300 passengers, which derailed near Córdoba at 7:45 p.m. and collided with an oncoming train coming from Madrid to Huelva, which had around 200 passengers onboard, as reported by rail operator Adif.
Following the incident, Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed the rising death toll, stating it had reached 21 after rescues had been completed. However, he cautioned that the total number of victims could still grow as investigations continued. 75 passengers suffered injuries, with 15 classified as serious, most of whom were transferred to hospitals in Córdoba.
The Spanish Red Cross established a help center in Adamuz, close to the crash site, to support emergency responders and those seeking information about their loved ones. Local emergency services, including members of Spain's Civil Guard and Civil Defense, worked through the night under difficult conditions to mitigate the aftermath of the tragedy. Responding to the situation, Andalusia regional President Juanma Moreno outlined the enormity of the task ahead for rescue teams.
The cause of this "truly strange" incident remains unclear, according to Minister Puente. The derailment occurred on a renovated stretch of track, completed in May, and involved a relatively new train, which is less than four years old. Details revealed that the first train, operated by the private company Iryo, derailed and struck the Renfe train, leading to the destruction of its first two carriages that fell down a 4-meter (13-foot) slope.
Witnesses, including Salvador Jiménez, a journalist who was aboard one of the derailed trains, described the moment of impact as feeling akin to an earthquake. Passengers resorted to using emergency hammers to escape through windows, and footage from the scene showcases individuals crawling out amid wreckage, with the carriages visibly compromised.
The crash transpired near the village of Adamuz, resulting in a challenging rescue operation for first responders. Francisco Carmona, the firefighter chief of Córdoba, reported that one of the trains had sustained significant damage, with at least four carriages derailed. Civil Protection officials noted the area’s inaccessibility, while local residents provided blankets and water to assist those affected.
In the wake of the tragedy, Spain's military emergency relief units were deployed alongside local rescue services, and the Red Cross extended its support to local health officials. Expressions of sorrow and condolences poured in from various leaders, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, King Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also shared her sympathies on social media.
Spain boasts the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, comprising over 3,100 kilometers (1,900 miles) of track, facilitating the transport of more than 25 million passengers in 2024 alone. Following the accident, Adif announced that train services between Madrid and several Andalusian cities would be suspended on Monday, raising concerns about safety and future travel.
This tragic incident marks Spain's most significant train accident since 2013, when a derailed train in the northwest resulted in 80 fatalities. Authorities continue to investigate the current crash, with Minister Puente indicating that thorough inquiries could take up to a month to conclude.
