Southern Spain is reeling from its most devastating rail disaster in over a decade following a catastrophic collision between two trains near Adamuz on Sunday evening. The death toll currently stands at 41, with authorities cautioning that this number may rise as recovery teams continue their grim search through the mangled wreckage using heavy machinery.
The tragedy unfolded when carriages on a Madrid-bound train derailed on a straight section of track near Córdoba, crossing into the path of an oncoming service traveling in the opposite direction. The violent impact, described by one survivor as feeling like an ‘earthquake,’ resulted in 122 injuries with 41 victims, including children, remaining hospitalized—12 of whom are in intensive care.
Spanish media outlets report investigators are concentrating on a potentially faulty 30-centimeter rail weld as the probable cause. Technical experts cited in El Mundo newspaper indicated a ‘bad’ or ‘deteriorated’ weld was ‘more than likely’ responsible for the derailment. However, El País noted investigators haven’t determined whether the rail defect caused the accident or resulted from it.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente characterized the incident as ‘extremely strange’ and estimated the investigation could take at least a month to complete. Rail operator Renfe’s president has apparently eliminated human error as a factor, noting that onboard systems automatically correct driver mistakes.
The national response has been swift and solemn. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez canceled his scheduled appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, pledging to ‘get to the bottom’ of the tragedy. King Felipe and Queen Letizia are scheduled to visit the crash site, and the government has declared three days of national mourning.
All high-speed services between Madrid and southern destinations including Málaga, Córdoba, Sevilla, and Huelva remain suspended until Friday as the investigation continues and the nation grieves its worst rail accident since 2013.