A catastrophic collision between two high-speed trains in southern Spain has resulted in at least 39 fatalities and left dozens injured, marking the nation’s most severe rail disaster in over ten years. The tragedy unfolded near the city of Córdoba on Sunday evening at approximately 19:45 local time.
According to Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente, the sequence of events began when one train, operated by Alvia and traveling from Málaga to Madrid, mysteriously derailed. It subsequently veered onto the opposite track, directly colliding with an oncoming Iryo service en route from Madrid to Huelva. The impact forced the second train into a nearby embankment. Minister Puente confirmed that the majority of casualties were concentrated in the front carriages of the Huelva-bound train.
The precise cause of the initial derailment remains shrouded in uncertainty, prompting officials to characterize the incident as profoundly perplexing. An official investigation has been initiated, though authorities caution that determining the exact circumstances may require at least one month. Minister Puente publicly expressed the government’s bewilderment, noting that consulted railway experts are ‘extremely baffled’ by the unprecedented nature of the accident.
Rescue operations faced extreme challenges due to the severe structural damage. Francisco Carmona, head of Córdoba’s firefighters, described the grim scene to RTVE, explaining that twisted metal entrapped victims, necessitating complex extraction efforts where responders even had to remove deceased individuals to reach survivors.
State-owned operator Renfe reported approximately 400 passengers and staff were aboard both trains during the collision. While rescue teams remain on site, it remains unclear whether individuals are still trapped within the wreckage. As of Monday morning, emergency services confirmed 112 people had received medical treatment, with 48 requiring ongoing hospitalization—including five minors and eleven adults in intensive care. The identification process for the 39 victims is ongoing, with officials cautioning that the death toll may not yet be final.