A catastrophic high-speed train collision in southern Spain has claimed the lives of at least 39 people, with rescue operations continuing into Monday. The devastating incident occurred on Sunday afternoon near the town of Adamuz in the Andalusia region.
The Moment of Impact
The tragedy unfolded when an Iryo high-speed train derailed, veered off its track, and crossed onto the line for oncoming traffic. It then collided head-on with an approaching Renfe train. Spain's Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, provided details on social media platform X, confirming the rear carriages of the Iryo train detached and "invaded" the opposing track just as the Renfe service was approaching.
"The impact has been terrible, causing the first two units of the Renfe train to be thrown off as a result," Minister Puente stated. He emphasised that the fundamental priority remains assisting the victims, and a final casualty count is not yet confirmed.
Emergency Response and Nationwide Disruption
Emergency crews, including Spain's Civil Guard and Civil Defence personnel, worked tirelessly through the night and into Monday morning. The Spanish Red Cross established a support centre in Adamuz to aid both emergency services and families seeking information.
The region's Interior Minister has activated full emergency protocols, with a command centre now operational in Adamuz. In response to the disaster, all high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended. Rail infrastructure manager ADIF announced that all traffic across key routes, including Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, and Huelva, will remain halted throughout Monday, with potential extensions into Tuesday.
Political Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his profound concern regarding the incident. On X, he stated: "The Government is working with the rest of the [relevant] authorities and emergency services to assist the passengers."
As the rescue mission transitions to a recovery and investigation phase, authorities will focus on determining the precise cause of the initial derailment. This incident marks one of the most serious rail accidents in Spain in recent years, sending shockwaves through the nation and the international transport community.
