A high-speed train derailed and slammed into an oncoming train in southern Spain on Sunday, leaving 21 people dead and 73 injured, authorities confirmed.
At a Glance
- A train from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Córdoba at 7:45 p.m. local time
- The derailed train crashed into a Madrid-to-Huelva service
- 21 confirmed fatalities; 73 injured passengers hospitalized
- Why it matters: Spain’s modern rail network faces scrutiny after a rare crash on recently upgraded track
The tail end of the Malaga-Madrid service, carrying roughly 300 passengers, left the rails on a flat stretch of track and veered into the path of an oncoming train with about 200 passengers, rail operator Adif said.
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente told reporters the crash scene was “truly strange” because the track had been renovated in May and the Iryo-operated train was less than four years old.
Collision Details
Puente said the rear cars of the Iryo train derailed and struck the front of the Renfe-operated train. The impact knocked the first two Renfe carriages off the track and down a four-meter (13-foot) slope.
Firefighter chief Francisco Carmona told Spanish national radio RNE that at least four wagons left the rails and one train was “badly mangled.”
Andalusia’s regional health chief Antonio Sanz said victims were distributed to six hospitals across the region. Rescue crews worked through the night to free survivors from the twisted metal.
Witness Accounts
Salvador Jiménez, an RTVE journalist on board one of the trains, told the network by phone that passengers felt what seemed like an earthquake before realizing the train had derailed.
Jiménez said travelers used emergency hammers to break windows and crawl to safety. Video from the scene showed carriages tilting at sharp angles as people climbed out.
Civil Protection chief María Belén Moya Rojas told Canal Sur the accident site is difficult to access. Local residents brought blankets and water to help victims waiting in the dark.
Service Disruption
Adif announced that all high-speed services between Madrid and Andalusian cities will remain suspended Monday while investigators examine the track and rolling stock.
Spain’s extensive high-speed network is a popular travel option, making the shutdown a significant disruption for thousands of passengers.
Investigation Timeline
Puente said authorities have opened an official inquiry. When asked how long the probe could take, he replied it might last one month.
The crash occurred on a section that had undergone recent upgrades, raising questions about maintenance protocols and possible mechanical failure.
Emergency Response
Military emergency units joined regional firefighters, police, and Red Cross teams at the scene. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X that she was following “the terrible news” from Córdoba and added, “Tonight you are in my thoughts,” in Spanish.
Iryo issued a brief statement saying the company “deeply lamented what has happened” and was cooperating fully with investigators.
Key Takeaways
- 21 dead, 73 injured in Spain’s worst rail accident in years
- Crash involved two high-speed trains on a recently renovated section of track
- Services between Madrid and Andalusia halted at least through Monday
- Investigation expected to take about a month
Derrick M. Collins reported from Madrid. News Of Fort Worth carried the initial report.
