A catastrophic high-speed train derailment in southern Spain on Sunday evening has resulted in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries, with authorities fearing the death toll may exceed twenty.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The incident occurred at approximately 19:45 hours on Sunday, January 18, 2026, near the Adamuz station in the province of Córdoba, within the Andalusia region. A train operating the Malaga to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha route, carrying an estimated 300 passengers, derailed on the turnouts at the entrance to track 1.
The force of the derailment caused the train to invade the adjacent track, where it was struck by an oncoming train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. This secondary collision compounded the severity of the accident. Initial reports from rescue services indicated at least seven fatalities and 25 people seriously injured, but those numbers were expected to rise sharply.
Rescue Efforts and Official Response
Regional health minister for Andalusia, Antonio Sanz, confirmed that rescue operations were ongoing in a challenging, hard-to-reach area. He stated that officials had informed him the death toll could rise above 20. Seventy-three injured passengers have been transported to six different hospitals for treatment.
María Belén Moya Rojas, the regional Civil Protection chief, noted that local residents were assisting by bringing blankets and water to the scene to aid victims. The movement of all high-speed trains in the area remains suspended indefinitely.
In response to the tragedy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences on social media platform X, stating she was following "the terrible news" from Cordoba and that those affected were in her thoughts.
Widespread Disruption and Investigation
The Spanish rail infrastructure manager, ADIF, has announced that train services between Madrid and cities in Andalusia will not run on Monday, causing major travel disruptions. The focus remains on the complex rescue and recovery operation at the crash site, while an investigation into the cause of the derailment is certain to follow.
This accident represents one of the most serious rail disasters in Spain in recent years, raising immediate questions about high-speed rail safety protocols and infrastructure maintenance on a key national route.
