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At least 39 people have been killed and dozens injured after two high-speed trains collided near the town of Adamuz, in Spain’s Córdoba province, after one service derailed and crossed onto the opposite track, authorities said. Rescue teams worked overnight at the scene, while investigators began examining why the crash occurred on a straight section of line.
The collision happened at about 7.45pm local time on Sunday. The first train, operated by Iryo and travelling from Málaga to Madrid, derailed near Adamuz and struck an oncoming Renfe Alvia service running from Madrid to Huelva. The impact derailed both trains and caused severe damage to the front section of the southbound service, according to officials.
Spain’s Civil Guard and the Andalusian emergency services said the death toll was not final as crews continued to access damaged carriages and recover victims. The transport ministry said 122 people had been treated for injuries, with 48 still in hospital, including 12 patients in intensive care.
Passenger and crew numbers have varied in early reports. Reuters cited rail sources saying about 400 people were travelling across both trains, while the Associated Press put the combined number closer to 500. Iryo said 289 passengers, four crew members and a driver were on its service. Regional reporting in Andalucía put the Renfe train’s passenger count at about 100.
Photographs from the site showed wrecked carriages and debris scattered across electrified tracks, with firefighters, civil guard officers and forensic teams working beside the trains. Survivors described sudden violent movement followed by impact, and Spanish broadcaster RTVE reported accounts of people calling for medical help as they were evacuated from damaged coaches.
A reception and information centre was established in Córdoba to support survivors and relatives seeking news. The regional emergency agency urged those who had escaped without injury to contact family members or post a brief message on social media to reduce pressure on emergency phone lines. The Spanish Red Cross deployed support teams and said it was providing psychological assistance to families.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the derailment occurred on a straight portion of line and called the circumstances “extremely strange”. He said an investigation had been opened but warned it could take at least a month to establish the cause. Officials have not set out what potential factors are being examined, and the government has urged caution while evidence is gathered.
Iryo said the train involved in the derailment was built in 2022 and had undergone its most recent inspection on 15 January. Network operator Adif confirmed that the Iryo 6189 service had derailed and entered the adjacent track, leading to the collision with the Renfe Alvia 2384. Adif teams were expected to review track conditions and systems in the affected section as part of the formal inquiry.
The crash disrupted rail travel across southern Spain. More than 200 high-speed services between Madrid and Andalusian cities, including Seville, Córdoba and Granada, were cancelled as authorities suspended traffic on the corridor and assessed damage to infrastructure. Operators advised passengers to check updates before travelling.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his Monday public agenda and was expected to travel to the area. The Royal Household said King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were receiving updates. At EU level, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said the European Commission’s emergency response centre was in contact with Spanish authorities and stood ready to assist if requested.
Spain has one of the world’s largest high-speed rail networks. The country leads the European Union in high-speed rail infrastructure, with just over 4,000 kilometres in operation, and that ridership has grown since the market was opened to competition. Iryo entered Spain’s passenger market in 2022, joining state-backed Renfe and other operators on major inter-city routes.
The Adamuz crash is Spain’s deadliest rail accident since the 2013 derailment near Santiago de Compostela, which killed 80 people. On Monday, emergency services continued to secure the site and account for all passengers, while transport officials said the priority remained supporting victims’ families and restoring safe operations on one of the country’s busiest rail links. Victim identification continued throughout Monday morning locally.
