At least 21 people were killed and 75 others injured after two high-speed passenger trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening. The tragic accident occurred near Córdoba when a derailed train crashed into an oncoming service, according to authorities.
International media reports state that the rear section of an evening train traveling from Málaga to Madrid, carrying around 300 passengers, derailed at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time. Moments later, it struck another high-speed train en route from Madrid to Huelva, which had nearly 200 passengers on board.
Rescue Operations Concluded, Casualty Figures Under Review
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed shortly after midnight that rescue teams had completed operations and all survivors had been evacuated from the wreckage. While 21 fatalities have been officially recorded, officials cautioned that the death toll may rise as identification and medical assessments continue.
The Andalusian regional government reported that 75 injured passengers were admitted to nearby hospitals, with 15 listed in serious condition. Regional Health Minister Antonio Sanz described the situation as critical, noting that emergency teams faced an extremely challenging night.
Cause of Crash Yet to Be Determined
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear. Minister Puente described the incident as “highly unusual,” noting that the affected section of track had been renovated in May. The derailed train was reportedly less than four years old and operated by private rail company Iryo, while the second train was run by state-owned Renfe, which sustained severe damage to its front coaches.
Passengers Recall ‘Earthquake-Like’ Impact
Several passengers described the collision as sudden and violent, comparing the impact to an earthquake. A Spanish journalist traveling on one of the trains reported that windows had to be smashed with emergency hammers to allow passengers to escape from the derailed carriage.
Investigations are underway as Spain’s rail authorities work to determine the exact cause of the collision.
