Spain was plunged into mourning on Monday after a devastating collision between two high-speed trains in the southern region of Andalusia left at least 21 people dead and more than 70 others injured, triggering one of the country’s worst rail disasters in years.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening near the town of Adamuz when a high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and veered onto an opposite track, colliding with an oncoming service bound for Huelva. Both trains derailed on impact, according to Spain’s rail infrastructure operator, Adif.
Authorities confirmed that 21 fatalities had been recorded as rescue operations continued through the night.
Andalusia’s top emergency official, Antonio Sanz, said at least 73 people sustained injuries, warning that the death toll could rise due to the severity of the crash.
Spain’s Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, described the incident as “extremely strange,” noting that the crash occurred on a straight, recently renovated section of track and involved a train that was nearly new.
He added that about 30 victims were taken to hospital in critical condition, while all injured passengers had been evacuated from the wreckage.
Rail operator Iryo said roughly 300 passengers were on board the Malaga–Madrid service at the time of the accident.
Emergency responders faced enormous challenges as twisted metal and overturned carriages trapped passengers inside.
Firefighters said some carriages plunged about four metres down an embankment, complicating rescue efforts.
Francisco Carmona, head of the Cordoba fire service, said rescuers had to make painful decisions to reach survivors. “The carriages are crushed and twisted with people inside. It has been extremely difficult and emotionally draining work,” he said.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. A passenger identified only as Montse said her train jolted violently before plunging into darkness. “People were thrown around, luggage was flying, children were crying,” she recalled, adding that she felt lucky to have survived. Another survivor, Lucas Meriako, described the scene as resembling “a horror movie,” saying shattered glass caused multiple injuries.
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In response to the disaster, high-speed rail services linking Madrid with Cordoba, Seville, Malaga and Huelva were suspended for at least Monday. Adif said assistance centres had been set up at major stations to support relatives of victims.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, described the incident as “a night of deep pain” for the nation, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also conveyed their condolences, while messages of sympathy poured in from international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Spain operates Europe’s largest high-speed rail network, spanning more than 3,000 kilometres. The tragedy has revived memories of the 2013 Santiago de Compostela derailment, which claimed 80 lives, marking one of the darkest chapters in the country’s rail history.
