Spain was struck by one of its deadliest rail tragedies in decades on the evening of January 18, 2026, when two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain.
The catastrophic crash occurred near Adamuz in Córdoba province, killing
at least 39 people and injuring more than 170 others.
The disaster unfolded on a recently renovated, straight section of track—making the
incident all the more shocking for rail experts and authorities.
⚠️ What Happened Near Adamuz
According to preliminary reports, an Iryo high-speed train traveling from Málaga to Madrid with around 300 passengers derailed in its
last three carriages at approximately 6:40 PM local time.
The derailed carriages crossed into the opposite track, colliding head-on with a Renfe Alvia train en route from Madrid to Huelva, carrying
about 184 passengers.
The violent impact sent several carriages tumbling down a four-meter embankment, twisting metal and trapping passengers inside smoke-filled cabins.
Survivors reported smashing windows to escape the wreckage.
The Iryo train involved was a Frecciarossa 1000 model, capable of speeds up to 250 km/h.
🚑 Casualties and Rescue Operations
Emergency responders confirmed at least 39 fatalities, including one train driver.
Initial death tolls were lower, but numbers rose as rescue teams gained access to severely damaged carriages.
More than 170 people were injured, with:
48 passengers hospitalized
11 adults and one child admitted to intensive care
Four children among the seriously injured
Rescue teams from across Andalusia worked overnight, treating over 112 people at the scene. Deformed metal structures slowed rescue efforts,
and in some cases, bodies had to be removed to reach trapped survivors.
In total, nearly 484 passengers and staff were affected by the disaster.
🏛️ Government Response and Rail Disruptions
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the tragedy as “a night of profound sorrow for Spain.”
Transport Minister Óscar Puente called the derailment “extremely unusual and baffling”, especially given the straight track and modern infrastructure.
Rail infrastructure operator Adif immediately suspended all high-speed rail services
between Madrid and Andalusia, affecting routes to:
Córdoba
Seville
Málaga
Huelva
Madrid’s Atocha Station remained open overnight to assist families, offering
psychological support and information services. Hospitals in Madrid and nearby regions
were placed on alert to receive additional patients.
Executives from both Iryo and Renfe traveled to the crash site
to coordinate response efforts.
🔍 Investigation and Unanswered Questions
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash.
As of now, there are:
No confirmed signs of human error
No evidence of sabotage
No immediate technical explanation
Experts warn that determining the exact cause could take at least a month. Transport Minister Puente has been monitoring developments
from Adif’s control center and pledged full transparency as facts emerge.
Officials have cautioned that the death toll may still rise as investigations continue.
📢 Final Note: This tragedy has reignited urgent discussions around
high-speed rail safety in Europe, even on newly upgraded infrastructure once considered among the safest in the world.
