At least 39 people have died in a train collision in southern Spain, with dozens more injured in what has been described as the worst rail disaster in the country in over a decade, according to authorities.
The tragedy unfolded when carriages from a Madrid-bound high-speed train derailed and crossed onto opposing tracks, colliding with an oncoming train near Adamuz on Sunday evening. At the time of the crash, both trains had about 400 passengers and crew members onboard.
Emergency services reported treating at least 122 individuals, with 43—among them four children—currently hospitalized. As of now, 12 adults and a child remain in intensive care.
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente has stated that the death toll is not definitive, and efforts are underway to investigate the cause of this incident, which Puente described as extremely strange. Experts consulted have expressed confusion regarding the events leading to the accident.
The collision occurred at approximately 19:45 local time on a straight section of the track near Córdoba, just an hour after the train departed from Málaga. The impact of the collision was significant enough to drive one train's carriages into an embankment, primarily affecting the front carriages.
The trains involved included a Freccia 1000 model, capable of reaching speeds up to 400 km/h (250 mph). Rescuers faced difficulties in accessing trapped individuals due to the twisted wreckage.
Reports from passengers indicated a moment of extreme jolt and panic, resembling an earthquake, following which chaos ensued with screams and calls for assistance.
Rail services across the Madrid-Andalusia corridor have been suspended amid ongoing rescue efforts and investigations. The exact cause of the crash remains undetermined, with authorities stating that a full investigation may take at least a month.
In light of the tragedy, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, called it a night of deep pain for the nation, and condolences poured in from national and international figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
This incident marks a reminder of Spain's previous devastating rail accident in 2013, which resulted in 80 fatalities in Galicia. Spain possesses the second-largest high-speed rail network worldwide, connecting over 50 cities.
