High-speed trains collide after one derails in southern Spain, killing at least 21

Post by : Saif Nasser

Spain is in mourning after a tragic high-speed train accident in the southern region of Andalusia killed at least 21 people and injured dozens more. The crash happened on Sunday evening near the town of Adamuz, close to the historic city of Córdoba, turning a routine journey into a deadly disaster.

According to Spanish authorities, the accident occurred around 7:45 p.m. when the rear part of a high-speed train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed. After leaving the tracks, the train crossed onto the opposite line and slammed into another high-speed train that was heading from Madrid to Huelva. The impact was sudden and devastating.

The first train was carrying about 300 passengers, while the second had around 200 people on board. Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed that at least 21 people had died once rescue teams finished pulling survivors from the wreckage. He added that the number of victims could still change as authorities continue to confirm details.

Andalusia’s regional president, Juanma Moreno, said that 75 passengers were taken to hospitals, mostly in the city of Córdoba. Among them, at least 15 people suffered serious injuries. Emergency rooms worked through the night to treat the wounded, while families waited anxiously for news of loved ones.

Rescue operations were difficult and emotionally draining. Firefighters, medical teams, the Civil Guard, Civil Defense units, and Spain’s military emergency teams were all deployed. The crash site was hard to reach, and work continued in cold nighttime conditions. Only emergency workers were allowed near the wreckage.

Officials described the accident as “strange.” Minister Puente said the crash happened on a flat section of track that had been renovated just months earlier. He also noted that the derailed train was less than four years old. One train belonged to Iryo, a private rail company, while the other was operated by Renfe, Spain’s public railway service.

The force of the crash caused the front of the Renfe train to suffer the most damage. Its first two carriages were knocked off the track and fell down a slope about four meters deep. Several wagons were badly twisted and thrown off the rails.

Passengers described terrifying moments. One journalist who was on board said the impact felt “like an earthquake.” People used emergency hammers to break windows and crawl out of tilted carriages. Videos from the scene showed passengers helping one another escape in the dark.

Local residents rushed to help, bringing blankets and water to survivors waiting near the site. The Spanish Red Cross set up a support center in Adamuz to assist victims and provide information to worried families.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the night “one of deep sadness” for the country and offered condolences to the families of the victims. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also shared messages of sympathy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was closely following the tragic news.

Spain is known for having the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, with more than 3,100 kilometers of track. These trains are widely seen as safe, fast, and affordable, carrying millions of passengers each year. This accident has deeply shaken public confidence.

Train services between Madrid and cities in Andalusia were suspended on Monday as investigations began. Authorities said it could take up to a month to understand exactly what caused the derailment and collision.

This tragedy brings back painful memories of Spain’s worst train accident in 2013, when 80 people died after a train derailed due to excessive speed.

As Spain grieves, many are calling for a full and transparent investigation. The focus now is on supporting victims, helping families cope with loss, and ensuring that such a disaster never happens again on one of Europe’s busiest rail networks.