39 Killed, Over 70 Injured After Two Trains Collide In Southern Spain's Andalusia

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 13:06 IST

At least 39 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz in Spain’s Andalusia region, triggering a major rescue operation in difficult conditions.

People affected by a deadly train derailment are transferred and treated at the Caseta Municipal in the town of Adamuz (Photo: Reuters)

At least 39 people were killed, and more than 70 were injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, Reuters quoted state broadcaster RTVE as saying.

Rescue teams worked through the night in what officials described as extremely difficult conditions.

According to police and emergency officials, the accident occurred on Sunday evening near the town of Adamuz in Cordoba province.

A high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed, crossed onto the opposite track and slammed into an oncoming train heading from Madrid to the southern city of Huelva. Both trains derailed on impact.

A police spokesperson told AFP that the death toll had increased to 39.

Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s top emergencies official and regional health minister, said at least 73 people had been injured and warned that the toll could still rise.

“The situation is likely to see the death toll increase," Sanz told a press conference, adding that “a very complicated night awaits us."

Emergency services said 25 people had suffered severe injuries.

Officials said the wounded were taken to six different hospitals across the region.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente told reporters that around 30 people were rushed to the hospital in serious condition and that all the injured had been evacuated to receive care.

The derailment happened on a straight stretch of track that had been completely renovated, Puente said, describing the accident as “extremely strange."

He added that the first train to derail was “practically new."

Spain’s rail infrastructure operator ADIF said the evening Malaga-Madrid service went off the rails before crashing into the oncoming train.

Rail operator Iryo said around 300 passengers were on board its Malaga-to-Madrid service, while the second train was an AVE service operated by state-owned railway company Renfe.

Rescue efforts were complicated by the scale of the wreckage.

Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Cordoba, told public broadcaster RTVE that the twisted carriages made it extremely hard to reach trapped passengers.

“The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside," he said.

“We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work."

Some carriages tumbled down an embankment of around four metres, Sanz said.

The regional Civil Protection chief, Maria Belen Moya Rojas, told Canal Sur that the accident occurred in an area that was difficult to access.

She added that local residents brought blankets and water to the scene to help victims while emergency crews worked.

Passengers who survived described scenes of panic and chaos.

Montse, a passenger on the second train bound for Huelva, told Spanish public television that the train came to an abrupt stop “with a jolt" and that “everything went dark."

She said luggage flew through the carriage, and children were crying.

“Luckily, I was in the last car. I feel like I was given a second chance at life," she said.

Lucas Meriako, who was travelling on the first train that derailed, told La Sexta television, “This looks like a horror movie."

He said passengers felt a powerful impact and feared the train was about to collapse, adding that many were injured by shattered glass.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the tragedy as a “night of deep pain for our country," saying no words could ease the suffering of the victims and their families.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was following “the terrible news" from Cordoba and expressed solidarity with those affected.

The royal palace said King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were following developments “with great concern."

ADIF said high-speed train services between Madrid and Andalusian cities, including Cordoba, Seville, Malaga and Huelva, would remain suspended at least through Monday.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the derailment.

News world 39 Killed, Over 70 Injured After Two Trains Collide In Southern Spain's Andalusia

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