At least 39 people have been killed and dozens more injured after two high-speed trains collided and derailed near the municipality of Adamuz in Spain’s Córdoba province, in one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters in recent years.
The crash occurred at about 7:40pm on Sunday when a high-speed Iryo train travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and crossed on to a neighbouring track, where it struck an oncoming train travelling from Madrid to Huelva. Rail authorities said the second train, operated by the state rail company Renfe, also derailed and plunged down an embankment.
Iryo said approximately 300 passengers were on board its train at the time of the accident, with the derailment affecting carriages six through eight. Emergency services, including the Guardia Civil and firefighters, launched a large-scale rescue operation, setting up a joint emergency response at the scene.
Andalusian emergency services said 122 people were treated for injuries, with 48 still in hospital on Monday morning. Of those, 12 were being treated in intensive care units. Officials said many of the most serious casualties were in the first two carriages of the second train.
Passengers described chaotic scenes. María San José, 33, who was travelling on the train that first derailed, said there were many injured and that she was still shaking after the experience. Another witness told public broadcaster RTVE that one of the carriages had completely overturned. A passenger on the second train said bags fell from overhead shelves and people screamed as the impact occurred.
Television footage showed medical teams and fire crews working through the night amid twisted metal and heavily damaged carriages. The Córdoba fire chief said while the Iryo train was evacuated within hours, the Renfe carriages were severely crushed, complicating rescue efforts.
“There are still people trapped,” he said. “The operation is focusing on very narrow areas. In some cases, bodies must be removed to reach anyone who may still be alive.”
Spain’s transport minister said the cause of the accident had yet to be established, describing it as unusual that such a derailment occurred on a straight stretch of track. He said the section of railway involved had been renewed in May.
All high-speed rail services between Madrid and southern Spain were suspended following the crash, including routes to Córdoba, Seville, Málaga and Huelva. Authorities said services would remain halted while investigations and safety inspections continue.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as “a night of deep pain for our country”, offering condolences to the families of the victims and praising emergency workers for their efforts. The king and queen were also said to be following developments with concern. The regional president of Andalucía said the tragedy had left the region heartbroken.