At least 21 people have died, and dozens more were injured after two high-speed trains derailed and collided near Adamuz in southern Spain on Sunday evening, authorities said. The crash happened around 6:40 p.m. local time in Córdoba province, when an Iryo train traveling from Málaga to Madrid left its track and crossed onto a parallel line. That train then struck a Renfe service heading from Madrid to Huelva, causing the second train to derail.
Police and emergency officials confirmed at least 21 fatalities. Health authorities said at least 73 people were wounded and transported to six hospitals for treatment. Some of the injured were reported in serious condition. Rescue teams are still working at the scene.
The Iryo 6189 service was carrying about 300 passengers, while the Renfe train had around 100 people on board, local media reported. Iryo said it activated emergency protocols and is working closely with authorities to manage the situation.
Spanish emergency services, including civil protection units, firefighters, and medical teams, were deployed to assist with rescue and recovery. Support centers and psychological help points have been set up for victims and their families. Adif, the national railway infrastructure manager, said high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended while authorities investigate the cause of the crash. Commercial rail services in other regions, such as between Madrid and Toledo, Ciudad Real, and Puertollano, were reported operating normally.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, describing the incident as a “night of deep pain” for the country. The Spanish royal family also extended sympathies and said they were closely monitoring developments. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia offered heartfelt support to those affected.
Spain’s national railway company Renfe confirmed that emergency services were actively assisting passengers and that teams were working to manage the situation. Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the initial derailment. Transport officials said the section of track where the first train left the rail was straight and recently renovated, making the derailment especially surprising. A full investigation is expected to take weeks as experts analyze data and examine the infrastructure.
Emergency crews continue to search for survivors and recover victims amid twisted carriages and difficult terrain. Local officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts progress.
