High-speed train crash in Spain leaves 21 dead
At least 21 people lost their lives and many were injured after two trains collided in southern Spain, authorities said.
Spain was plunged into mourning on Monday after a devastating collision between two high-speed trains in the southern region of Andalusia left at least 21 people dead and more than 70 injured, marking one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters in recent years.
The crash occurred on Sunday evening near the town of Adamuz in Cordoba province, when a high-speed service travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto an adjacent track, slamming into an oncoming train. Both trains derailed on impact, scattering twisted carriages across the track and down a nearby embankment. Spain’s rail infrastructure operator Adif confirmed the sequence of events in a statement posted on X.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the tragedy as a “night of deep pain,” as emergency crews worked through the darkness to rescue survivors trapped inside mangled metal carriages. Flags were lowered across several public buildings, and condolences poured in from leaders across Europe.
A police spokesperson told AFP that 21 people had been confirmed dead, a figure that rose sharply from initial reports earlier in the day. Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s top emergency official, said at least 73 people were injured, warning that the death toll could still increase due to the severity of the crash. “A very complicated night awaits us,” he said during a late-night press conference.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said that 30 of the injured were taken to hospital in serious condition, while others were treated for fractures, head injuries, and shock. He confirmed that all passengers had been evacuated from the wreckage by early Monday morning.
The accident has left authorities searching for answers. Puente noted that the collision occurred on a straight stretch of track that had been fully renovated, adding to the mystery surrounding the cause. “The first train to derail was practically new,” he said, calling the incident “extremely strange” and pledging a full investigation.
Rail operator Iryo said around 300 passengers were on board its Malaga-to-Madrid service at the time of the crash. Many survivors described moments of terror as the train jolted violently before coming to a sudden stop. Emergency services faced immense challenges as hundreds of passengers trapped inside the wreckage complicated rescue efforts.
“The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside,” said Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Cordoba, speaking to public broadcaster RTVE. It is hard, tricky work.”
Several carriages were thrown down a four-metre embankment, according to Sanz, forcing rescuers to use heavy machinery, cutting tools, and cranes to reach those inside. Medical teams set up triage zones nearby, while helicopters ferried the most critically injured to hospitals across the region.
As daylight broke on Monday, the scale of the destruction became clearer. Twisted steel, shattered windows, and personal belongings littered the site, offering a stark reminder of the violence of the collision. Investigators from Adif and Spain’s transport safety authorities have begun examining data recorders, signalling systems, and track conditions to determine what went wrong.
For families awaiting news of loved ones, the hours after the crash were agonising. Authorities have set up support centres and helplines, while grief counsellors have been deployed to assist survivors and relatives.
As Spain grapples with the aftermath, questions over rail safety and accountability are expected to dominate public debate in the days ahead, even as the nation mourns those lost.