Spain: At least 21 people lost their lives and scores more were injured after two high-speed passenger trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening, triggering one of the country’s worst rail disasters in recent years.
The accident occurred around 7:45 p.m. near the city of Córdoba when part of a train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and veered onto the opposite track, striking an oncoming service headed from Madrid to Huelva. Rail infrastructure manager Adif said the Málaga–Madrid train was carrying about 300 passengers, while the second train had roughly 200 people on board.
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, confirmed the death toll shortly after midnight, noting that rescue teams had finished evacuating survivors. He cautioned, however, that the number of victims could still change as authorities complete identification efforts.
Investigators have yet to determine what caused the derailment. Puente described the crash as highly unusual, emphasizing that it happened on a level section of track that had undergone renovation just months ago, in May. He also noted that the train which left the rails was relatively new—less than four years old.
The derailed service was operated by private rail company Iryo, while the second train involved belonged to the state-owned operator Renfe. In a statement, Iryo expressed deep regret over the tragedy and said it was cooperating fully with emergency services and investigators.
According to officials, the rear portion of the Málaga–Madrid train was the first to derail and collided with the front of the Renfe train. The impact forced the leading two carriages of the Renfe service off the track and down a four-metre embankment. Authorities said this section sustained the most severe damage.
Andalusia’s regional health authorities reported that 73 injured passengers were transported to six hospitals across the region. Emergency crews worked through the night in difficult conditions, as the crash site was located in a hard-to-access area.
Francisco Carmona, Córdoba’s fire chief, told national radio that one of the trains was extensively damaged, with at least four carriages derailed. “The scene is extremely serious,” said Andalusia’s health chief, Antonio Sanz, adding that emergency teams faced a long and challenging night.
Among those on board was Salvador Jiménez, a journalist with Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE. Speaking by phone after escaping the wreckage, he said the impact felt sudden and violent. “For a moment it felt like an earthquake,” he recalled. Passengers used emergency hammers to smash windows, and some were able to climb out on their own. Videos shared on social media showed people crawling through broken windows as several carriages rested at sharp angles.
The crash happened just before nightfall, forcing rescue teams to operate in near darkness. Local residents rushed to the area with water and blankets to help survivors while emergency units, including military rescue teams and the Red Cross, joined the response.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was closely following developments. “Tonight you are in my thoughts,” she wrote in Spanish on social media, addressing those affected by the tragedy.
Adif announced that rail services between Madrid and cities in Andalusia would remain suspended on Monday as investigations and recovery operations continue.
