At least 39 individuals lost their lives in a tragic high-speed train collision that occurred in southern Spain on Sunday, according to local police. Rescue operations are still in progress, with the country’s transport minister, Oscar Puente, warning that the death toll is likely to increase.
The incident took place around 7:45 p.m. when the rear section of a train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Cordoba, impacting another train en route from Madrid to Huelva. Rail operator Adif confirmed the details of the collision, which involved approximately 300 passengers.
By Monday morning, rescue efforts were ongoing, with 75 passengers reported hospitalized, most of whom were taken to medical facilities in Cordoba, located about 242 miles south of Madrid. The Spanish Red Cross has established a support center in Adamuz, near the crash site, to assist emergency services and provide information to those affected.
Transport Minister Puente stated that the cause of the crash remains undetermined. He described the incident as “truly strange,” highlighting that it occurred on a flat section of track that had recently undergone renovations in May. The derailed train was operated by the private company Iryo and was less than four years old, while the second train, which bore the brunt of the collision, was operated by Renfe, the public train company.
According to Puente, the rear section of the first train derailed and collided with the front of the other train, resulting in the first two cars of the Renfe train being knocked off the tracks and down a 13-foot slope. The most significant damage occurred to the front section of the Renfe train.
When questioned about the potential duration of the investigation into the crash, Puente indicated it could take up to a month to reach conclusions.
Spain boasts the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, with over 1,900 miles of track dedicated to trains exceeding speeds of 155 mph, as noted by the European Union. This network is a favored, cost-effective, and safe means of transportation, with Renfe reporting that more than 25 million passengers utilized its high-speed services in 2024.
In the wake of the accident, train services between Madrid and various cities in Andalusia have been suspended for Monday.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia expressed their deep concern regarding the severe accident involving the high-speed trains in Adamuz. They extended their heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, along with their wishes for a swift recovery for the injured, in a statement released via X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also shared her sentiments on X, expressing her thoughts for those affected by the tragic event in Cordoba.
This incident marks one of the deadliest train accidents in Spain since 2013, when a derailment in the northwest region claimed the lives of 80 people. An investigation into that tragedy revealed that the train was traveling at 111 mph in a zone with a speed limit of 50 mph.
