ADAMUZ, Spain — Spanish authorities confirmed Monday that at least 39 individuals lost their lives in a devastating high-speed train collision that occurred Sunday evening in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, with rescue operations continuing into the following day.
The catastrophic incident unfolded at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time near Córdoba when the rear section of a Malaga-Madrid train carrying approximately 300 passengers derailed unexpectedly. The derailed carriage subsequently collided with an oncoming Madrid-Huelva service, according to official statements from rail infrastructure operator Adif.
Emergency response teams worked throughout the night and into Monday morning in a coordinated rescue effort. Andalusia Regional President Juanma Moreno reported that 75 passengers had been transported to medical facilities, with the majority receiving treatment at hospitals in Córdoba, located approximately 390 kilometers south of Madrid.
The Spanish Red Cross established an emergency assistance center in the town of Adamuz, adjacent to the crash site, providing support services for both emergency responders and families seeking information about passengers.
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the accident as ‘truly strange’ during a Monday morning briefing, noting the investigation remains ongoing without definitive conclusions. The peculiar nature of the incident stems from its occurrence on a recently renovated flat section of track (completed in May) involving a relatively new train model (less than four years old).
The collision dynamics involved the derailed rear section of the first train (operated by private company Iryo) striking the forward section of the second train (operated by public carrier Renfe). The impact propelled the first two carriages of the Renfe train down a 4-meter embankment, with this section sustaining the most severe damage. Minister Puente estimated the official investigation may require approximately one month to determine causation.
Spain maintains Europe’s most extensive high-speed rail network, with over 3,100 kilometers of track designed for speeds exceeding 250 kph. Renfe reported over 25 million passengers utilized its high-speed services in 2024, making it a popular and traditionally safe transportation option. All Madrid-Andalusia rail services remained suspended Monday.
This incident represents Spain’s most significant rail disaster since the 2013 northwest derailment that claimed 80 lives, which investigators attributed to excessive speed on a curve.