Fatal High-Speed Train Collision in Southern Spain Claims 39 Lives

At least 39 people died and 152 were injured after two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz in Córdoba province on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026. The death toll rose throughout the night as rescue efforts continued, making this Spain's worst rail disaster in more than a decade.

What Happened

An Iryo-operated train carrying approximately 300 passengers was traveling from Málaga to Madrid when its rear carriages derailed at 7:45 PM, roughly 10 minutes after leaving Córdoba station. The derailed carriages crossed onto the adjacent track and collided head-on with a Renfe train carrying around 100 passengers heading from Madrid to Huelva.

The impact caused the first two carriages of the Renfe train to derail and plunge down a four-meter (13-foot) embankment. Transport Minister Óscar Puente said most of those killed and injured were in the first two carriages of the Renfe train, with the first carriage carrying 37 people and the second carrying 16 passengers.

Among the confirmed dead is the 27-year-old train driver of the Madrid to Huelva service. Adamuz Mayor Rafael Jiménez confirmed that most passengers aboard both trains were Spaniards returning to Madrid after the weekend.

Emergency Response

At least 75 people are hospitalized across six healthcare facilities in the region, with 15 in critical condition including four children. By Monday morning, 48 injured passengers had been discharged from hospital. A sports center in Adamuz was converted into a makeshift hospital, while locals brought food and blankets as nighttime temperatures hovered around 6°C.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the crash as a "night of profound sorrow" and rearranged his schedule to visit the crash site on Monday morning. The Andalusian regional government activated emergency Civil Protection protocols and established psychological support teams and information centers for victims and their families.

Emergency services deployed over 200 personnel to the scene, including firefighters, medical teams, and Civil Guard officers. Rescue operations continued throughout the night using searchlights and specialized equipment to locate victims in the wreckage.

Rail Network Shutdown

Spain has suspended all high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia for at least the entire day Monday, marking a major disruption to one of the world's largest and most efficient rail systems. The affected routes include Madrid-Seville, Madrid-Málaga, and Madrid-Huelva services.

Adif, Spain's rail infrastructure operator, established a phone line (900 10 10 20) and three in-person assistance points in Madrid, Huelva, and Córdoba to support families of victims and injured passengers. Alternative bus services are being arranged for stranded passengers.

Investigation Underway

The cause of the derailment remains unknown. Transport Minister Puente called the accident "truly strange" because it occurred on a flat, straight section of track that had been renovated in May 2025. The derailed Iryo train was less than four years old and had been in service since 2022.

Puente estimated the investigation could take at least a month to determine the cause. The train involved was a Freccia 1000 model capable of reaching speeds of 250 mph, and was last inspected four days before the crash according to parent company Trenitalia. Prosecutors are awaiting a police report before opening a criminal probe.

Spain's Railway Accident Investigation Commission has launched a full investigation. Authorities are examining black box data from both trains and interviewing surviving crew members and passengers to piece together what caused the initial derailment.

Safety Concerns Raised

Some passengers reported feeling wobbling motions on the Iryo train before the derailment occurred. Rail safety experts are now scrutinizing Spain's high-speed network, which has maintained an excellent safety record since the last major accident in Santiago de Compostela in 2013 that killed 80 people.

The crash has raised questions about track maintenance and monitoring systems designed to detect derailments and automatically stop approaching trains. Spain's rail unions have called for a comprehensive review of safety protocols across the entire high-speed network.

National Day of Mourning

Spain has declared three days of national mourning for the victims. Flags are flying at half-mast on all government buildings across the country. King Felipe VI expressed his condolences and solidarity with the families of the victims.