At least 21 people have died and around 30 others seriously injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening, Spanish authorities have confirmed.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. (18:45 GMT) near Adamuz, close to Córdoba, involving a Malaga–Madrid train carrying about 300 passengers and a Madrid–Huelva train with roughly 200 passengers, according to rail operator ADIF.
Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the cause of the accident remains unclear, describing it as “really strange” that the derailment happened on a straight section of track.
“The cause of the crash is not yet known,” Puente told reporters at a press briefing at Madrid’s Atocha station, noting that the track in question had been renovated in May.
Spanish media reported that the driver of the Madrid–Huelva train was among the fatalities, while roughly 100 passengers sustained injuries. Puente confirmed that 30 of the injured are in serious condition and have been hospitalized. “Thirty injured have been taken to hospitals and are in serious condition,” he said, noting that all victims had now been evacuated from the scene.
Emergency services deployed five mobile intensive care units, four emergency critical care units and several ambulances to the crash site.
Andalusia’s regional president, Juanma Moreno, said responders focused on stabilising victims before hospital transfers.
“The on-site services were focused on stabilising the injured before transferring them to hospitals,” Moreno wrote on social media, adding: “Our solidarity and support to all those affected.”
ADIF said its personnel were working closely with emergency responders on the ground.
Reacting to the tragedy, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the incident as a moment of national grief.
“Today is a night of deep pain for our country owing to the tragic rail accident in Adamuz,” Sanchez wrote on X.
“I want to express my sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. No word can alleviate such great suffering, but I want them to know that the whole country is by their side in this tough moment.”
Following the crash, rail services between the Andalusia region and Madrid have been suspended. ADIF said trains from Cordoba, Sevilla, Malaga and Huelva would remain unavailable through at least on Monday.