At a Glance
- A high-speed train derailed near Córdoba, slammed into an oncoming train, killing 21 people.
- 73 passengers were injured and taken to six hospitals.
- The crash happened on a flat, recently renovated stretch of track at 7:45 p.m. local time.
- Why it matters: Spain’s modern rail network is a key travel mode, and the rare failure raises urgent safety questions.
A high-speed train traveling between Málaga and Madrid derailed Sunday evening, jumped onto the opposite track, and collided head-on with an oncoming train in southern Spain. The collision claimed 21 lives and injured 73 passengers, according to Spain’s transport minister.
The incident occurred at 7:45 p.m. near Córdoba. The tail end of the first train, carrying roughly 300 passengers, left the rails and struck a second train with about 200 passengers en route from Madrid to Huelva.
Victims and Rescue Efforts
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed the death toll after midnight once rescuers had removed all survivors. He warned the number could rise as identification continues.
Andalusia’s regional health chief, Antonio Sanz, said 73 injured passengers were distributed across six hospitals. Firefighter chief Francisco Carmona described at least four wagons off the rails and one train “badly mangled.”
Journalist Salvador Jiménez, aboard one of the derailed trains, told RTVE the impact felt “like an earthquake.” Passengers used emergency hammers to break windows and crawl free as carriages tilted down a four-meter (13-foot) slope.
Hundreds of survivors endured a difficult night in darkness while rescue teams navigated the hard-to-reach crash site. Local residents brought blankets and water to aid emergency crews.
Investigation Underway
Puente labeled the crash “a truly strange” event. Key facts:
- The accident occurred on a flat stretch of track renovated in May.
- The derailed train, operated by private company Iryo, is less than four years old.
- The oncoming train belongs to Spain’s public operator Renfe and absorbed the brunt of the impact.
The rear of the Iryo train derailed and struck the front of the Renfe train, knocking its first two carriages off the embankment. Puente said the worst damage occurred in that forward section.
Causes remain unknown. Puente told reporters a full inquiry could take about a month.
Service and Official Response
Rail operator ADIF suspended all high-speed service between Madrid and Andalusian cities for Monday.
Iryo issued a brief statement saying it “deeply lamented what has happened” and pledged cooperation with authorities.
Spain’s military emergency units, the Red Cross, and regional healthcare teams joined the response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X that she was following “the terrible news” from Córdoba and added, “Tonight you are in my thoughts,” in Spanish.
High-speed rail is a popular travel method across Spain’s extensive national network. Sunday’s crash represents a rare but deadly failure within that system.
Key Takeaways
- 21 confirmed dead, 73 injured after a high-speed train derailment and collision near Córdoba.
- The crash happened on recently upgraded track with a nearly new train, deepening the mystery.
- Full service halt and month-long investigation ahead as officials search for answers.
