Authorities report that at least 21 individuals have perished and numerous others sustained injuries following a collision involving two high-speed trains in southern Spain on Sunday evening.
The incident occurred near Adamuz, in close proximity to the city of Cordoba, according to Adif, the rail network operator. Preliminary reports indicate a high-speed train en route from Malaga to Madrid derailed, subsequently colliding with a neighboring track.
Tragically, a second train, traveling in the opposite direction from Madrid to Huelva, also derailed as a result of the initial collision.
Emergency services in Andalusia have confirmed that at least 25 individuals have suffered serious injuries, with a number of others sustaining minor injuries.
Adif indicates the initial derailment occurred approximately ten minutes after the Malaga-bound train departed at 18:40 local time (17:40 GMT). Consequently, all rail services connecting Madrid and Andalusia have been temporarily suspended.
Iryo, the private rail company operating the Malaga-bound service, has verified the derailment and estimates approximately 300 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.
Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with RTVE who was aboard one of the trains, reported that many passengers were able to evacuate without significant injuries.
“I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed. They called immediately to see if there were people in the health service who could help, they took hammers to break the windows and in the end they evacuated us,” he added.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that the government is collaborating with emergency responders to provide assistance to those affected, while Juanma Moreno, the Andalusian regional president, conveyed his concern and offered support to the victims and their families.