At least 39 people have died in southern Spain after two high-speed trains collided on Sunday evening, leaving dozens more injured in the country’s deadliest rail accident in over a decade, according to Spain’s Civil Guard.
Carriages on a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed onto the opposite tracks, colliding with an oncoming train near Adamuz. Around 400 passengers and staff were onboard both trains. Emergency services treated 122 people, with 48, including five children, still in hospital. Eleven adults and one child remain in intensive care.
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the accident as “extremely strange,” adding that “all the railway experts consulted by the government are extremely baffled by the accident.” He warned that the death toll “is not yet final” as investigations continue.
Collision on a Straight Track
The incident occurred at 19:45 local time, about an hour after the train left Málaga heading north to Madrid. The first train derailed on a straight stretch of track near Córdoba. The force of the collision pushed the carriages of the second train into an embankment, causing the most fatalities and injuries in its front carriages.
A spokesperson for Italian rail company Ferrovie dello Stato confirmed that the trains involved were Freccia 1000 models, capable of reaching speeds of 400 km/h (250 mph). Rescue teams said the twisted wreckage made it difficult to reach passengers trapped inside.
Córdoba fire chief Francisco Carmona told RTVE, “We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work.”
Survivors Describe Chaos
Journalist Salvador Jimenez, who was on one of the trains, recalled the impact: “I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed.” Footage shows some carriages tipped onto their sides, with rescue workers pulling passengers from lopsided doors and windows.
José, a passenger on the Madrid-bound train, said, “There were people screaming, calling for doctors.”
Rail Disruptions and Emergency Response
All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the crash. Iryo, the private rail company operating the northbound train, said around 300 passengers were onboard, while the southbound Renfe train carried about 100.
Advanced medical posts were set up near the crash site, and emergency support services from the Spanish Red Cross were deployed. Miguel Ángel Rodríguez of the Red Cross said, “The families are going through a situation of great anxiety due to the lack of information. These are very distressing moments.”
Spaces for relatives of victims were established at major stations including Atocha, Seville, Córdoba, Málaga, and Huelva. Friends and family members have been seeking updates on their loved ones, while authorities urged survivors to contact relatives to confirm they were safe.
National and International Reactions
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the event as a “night of deep pain.” The mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Moreno, one of the first at the scene, called it “a nightmare.” King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia extended their condolences, saying they followed news of the disaster “with great concern.”
International leaders also expressed sympathy. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote, “My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the entire Spanish people. France stands by your side.” Statements of condolence were also released by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
Investigations Underway
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and officials expect the investigation to take at least a month. Experts have ruled out immediate explanations, emphasizing the unusual nature of a derailment on a straight stretch of track.
Spain’s high-speed rail network is the second largest in the world, spanning more than 4,000 km and connecting over 50 cities. The country’s worst previous high-speed rail accident occurred in Galicia in 2013, leaving 80 dead and 140 injured.
Safety and Prevention
Potential factors in high-speed train accidents include mechanical failures, signaling or control system breakdowns, human error, and natural obstacles. Officials have stressed the importance of preventive measures such as regular inspections, automated speed controls, emergency preparedness, and real-time monitoring systems to avoid future tragedies.
Transport Minister Puente said the government will conduct a thorough review of safety protocols and rail infrastructure. “We must understand what happened to ensure that nothing like this occurs again,” he said.