Passengers wait in the hall of Madrid train station on Sunday, January 18, 2026, following the announcement of the suspension of service due to an accident in which two trains derailed in Cordoba.
A deadly high-speed train crash in southern Spain has left at least 21 people dead and dozens injured.
The accident occurred on Sunday evening when one train derailed and collided with another.
Rescue teams worked through the night near Córdoba amid chaos, darkness, and shock.
Derailment Triggers High-Speed Train Collision
The high-speed train crash happened at around 7:45 p.m. near the village of Adamuz.
A train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed at its rear section.
It jumped onto the opposite track and slammed into an oncoming train.
The second train was heading from Madrid to Huelva.
Both trains were carrying nearly 500 passengers combined, officials said.
Spain’s rail operator Adif confirmed the collision involved two high-speed services.
Death Toll Rises as Rescue Efforts Continue
Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed at least 21 fatalities after midnight.
He said all survivors had been removed from the wreckage.
However, authorities warned the number of victims could still rise.
Andalusia regional President Juanma Moreno said 75 people were hospitalized.
Most were taken to hospitals in Córdoba.
At least 15 passengers suffered serious injuries.
Emergency workers said recovery operations would continue through the night.
Officials described the rescue phase as extremely difficult.
Emergency Response in a Challenging Location
The Spanish Red Cross set up a support center in Adamuz.
It assisted emergency crews and families seeking information.
Civil Guard and Civil Defense teams secured the crash zone.
Only emergency personnel were allowed near the wreckage.
Temperatures dropped as responders worked under clear night skies.
Local residents brought blankets and water to help survivors.
Spain’s military emergency units also joined the rescue operation.
Officials Call the Train Accident ‘Strange’
Minister Puente described the high-speed train crash as “truly strange.”
He said it occurred on a flat stretch of recently renovated track.
The line had undergone maintenance work in May.
The derailed train was less than four years old.
It was operated by private company Iryo.
The second train belonged to state-run operator Renfe.
Puente said the rear of the first train hit the front of the second.
Two carriages were knocked off the tracks and down a four-meter slope.
The front section of the Renfe train suffered the worst damage.
An official investigation has begun.
Puente said findings could take up to one month.
Passengers Describe Terrifying Moments
Passengers described the impact as sudden and violent.
RTVE journalist Salvador Jiménez was on board one of the trains.
He said the collision felt “like an earthquake.”
Passengers used emergency hammers to break windows.
Many escaped through tilted carriages in near darkness.
Videos showed people crawling out to safety.
Fire officials said at least four wagons were completely derailed.
One train was described as badly mangled.
National and European Leaders React
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences on social media.
He called the night one of “deep sadness” for Spain.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also shared messages of sympathy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was following developments closely.
Spain’s High-Speed Rail Network Under Scrutiny
Spain operates Europe’s largest high-speed rail network.
It spans more than 3,100 kilometers across the country.
Trains regularly travel at speeds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour.
High-speed rail remains a popular and trusted transport option.
Renfe carried over 25 million passengers on such trains in 2024.
Following the crash, Adif suspended services between Madrid and Andalusia on Monday.
The incident marks one of Spain’s deadliest rail accidents in recent years.
