Spain is in mourning after a collision between two high-speed trains in the southern region of Andalusia killed at least 21 people and injured more than 70 others.
The crash occurred on Sunday evening when a Malaga-to-Madrid service derailed near the town of Adamuz and crossed onto the opposite track, slamming into an oncoming train bound for Huelva. Both trains derailed following the impact, according to Spain’s rail infrastructure operator Adif.
Police confirmed 21 fatalities, while Andalusia’s top emergency official Antonio Sanz said at least 73 people were injured, warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continued through the night.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said 30 of the injured were in serious condition and had been rushed to hospital. All passengers had since been evacuated.
Puente described the accident as “extremely strange”, noting that it happened on a straight section of fully renovated track and involved a train that was almost new. Rail operator Iryo said about 300 passengers were on board the Malaga-Madrid service.
Rescue efforts were hampered by mangled carriages and trapped passengers. Cordoba fire chief Francisco Carmona said twisted metal made it difficult for emergency teams to reach survivors, adding that some carriages had fallen down a four-metre embankment.
Passengers described scenes of chaos and terror. One survivor said the train suddenly jolted to a stop before the lights went out, with passengers and luggage thrown violently around. Another survivor likened the aftermath to a “horror movie”.
High-speed rail services between Madrid and several Andalusian cities, including Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Huelva, were suspended for at least the entire day on Monday. Adif said assistance centres had been set up at major stations to support victims’ families.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the tragedy as a “night of deep pain” for the nation, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also conveyed their condolences, while international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, offered messages of sympathy.
Spain operates Europe’s largest high-speed rail network. The country’s deadliest rail disaster in recent history occurred in 2013, when a derailment near Santiago de Compostela killed 80 people.
