At least 39 people were killed and 123 injured after two trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening, near Adamuz in the Andalusia region, Spanish authorities confirmed. Officials warned that the death toll is not final and could still rise.
The accident occurred at 19:39 when the rear carriages of an Iryo high-speed train travelling from Madrid to Málaga derailed for reasons still under investigation. The derailed cars were then struck by a Renfe-operated Alvia train heading in the opposite direction toward Huelva on adjacent tracks. According to Spanish media citing official sources, the Renfe train was travelling at around 200 km/h, while the Iryo train was moving more slowly.
Among the injured, five are in very serious condition and around 30 are seriously injured. All casualties requiring hospital treatment have been evacuated to medical facilities in Córdoba and Andújar. In total, 484 passengers were on board the two trains at the time of the accident. The driver of the Renfe train was among those killed.
Emergency services, supported by army units, carried out overnight rescue operations. Rail services between Andalusia and Madrid have been suspended.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente, who travelled to the scene, described the incident as “terribly strange,” noting that the infrastructure had been renovated in May and was in good condition, and that the Iryo train was nearly new and derailed on a straight section of track. An independent commission of inquiry has been launched in line with legal requirements.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it “a night of deep pain,” expressing condolences and solidarity with the victims and their families on behalf of the nation.