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At least 39 people died and more than 120 others suffered injuries after two high speed passenger trains collided in southern Spain. The crash occurred on Sunday evening near Adamuz in Córdoba province. The scale of the incident shocked communities across the country.
Trains Involved in the Crash
The collision involved two passenger trains travelling in opposite directions. A northbound high speed train operated by Iryo departed Málaga at about 18:45 local time. At the same time, a southbound service run by state owned Renfe was travelling from Madrid to Huelva.
Authorities estimated that around 400 passengers were on both trains combined. However, later reports suggested the number may be higher.
What Authorities Have Confirmed
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, described the crash as unusual. Experts said they could not explain how the derailment happened on a straight and flat section of track. The rail authorities carried out maintenance on the track in May 2025.
Puente explained that the rear section of the Iryo train left the track first and moved onto the adjacent line. It then struck the front of the oncoming Renfe train. The impact forced several carriages off the rails and down a nearby embankment.
The Iryo train, built in 2022, passed a routine inspection four days before the crash.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Emergency teams worked through the night to rescue passengers trapped inside the damaged carriages. More than 220 officers from the Spanish Civil Guard joined the rescue operation.
Officials confirmed that 48 injured passengers remain in hospital. Twelve people, including one child, are receiving treatment in intensive care. Five children are among the injured. Authorities confirmed the death of the Renfe train driver.
Rescue officials warned that the death toll could rise as some passengers remain unaccounted for.
National Response and Mourning
Forensic teams have begun identifying the victims. Police opened a special office in Córdoba to collect DNA samples from relatives of missing passengers.
On Monday, Spain’s Congress observed a minute of silence. Flags flew at half mast across the country. The city of Huelva announced three days of mourning.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his planned visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos. He is expected to visit the crash site. He expressed condolences to affected families and said the nation stands with them.
Rail Disruption and Investigation
Renfe cancelled more than 130 train services following the crash. The cancellations affected routes between Madrid and Andalusian cities, including Seville, Málaga and Huelva. The company offered refunds and alternative travel options to passengers.
An official investigation has started and may last at least one month. Investigators will examine the track, the signalling system, and data from the trains’ black boxes.
This tragedy is the deadliest rail crash in Spain since 2013, when a derailment in Galicia killed 80 people. Spain operates the largest high speed rail network in Europe, covering more than 4,000 kilometres.
The details in this report are based on information released by Spanish authorities and international news agencies.
