Author: Gist Correspondent

At least 21 people have been confirmed dead and more than 30 others seriously injured following a devastating collision involving two high-speed trains in southern Spain, authorities said late Sunday.

The crash occurred near Adamuz, a town close to the historic city of Córdoba, after a high-speed train travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto an adjacent track, according to Spain’s rail infrastructure operator, Adif. The derailed train subsequently collided with an oncoming service heading from Madrid to Huelva.

Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, described the incident as “extremely strange,” noting that the derailment happened on a straight section of track that had been refurbished less than a year ago. He warned that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue through the night.

Andalusian emergency services said at least 73 passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees, while hospitals in the region remain on high alert. Around 300 passengers were on board the Málaga–Madrid train operated by private rail company Iryo, while the second train, run by state operator Renfe, was carrying about 100 people.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain was facing a “night of deep pain” and expressed solidarity with victims and their families. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also conveyed their condolences, wishing the injured a swift recovery.

Rescue operations were hampered by the severity of the wreckage, with firefighters describing difficult and emotionally taxing conditions at the scene. Córdoba fire chief Francisco Carmona said rescuers were forced to remove bodies in order to reach survivors trapped inside the mangled carriages.

Rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were immediately suspended, with Adif announcing that major stations would remain open overnight to assist stranded passengers and relatives seeking information. Emergency shelters were also set up in several cities, including Madrid, Seville, Málaga and Huelva.

The Spanish Red Cross deployed emergency response teams and counsellors to support victims and anxious family members, as investigations into the cause of the crash commenced. Officials said a full inquiry could take at least a month to determine what led to the derailment.

International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, extended their condolences, as memories resurfaced of Spain’s deadliest high-speed rail accident in 2013, when 80 people were killed in Galicia.