At Least 39 Killed in Train Collision in Southern Spain

At least 39 people have been killed and more than 150 others injured after a high-speed train collision late on Sunday evening near Adamuz in the province of Córdoba, southern Spain, officials confirmed on Monday, January 19.

The deadly accident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time when a high-speed Iryo train bound from Málaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz and crossed onto the adjacent track, colliding head-on with an oncoming Renfe train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Both trains were carrying hundreds of passengers at the time.

Spanish authorities described the incident as “extremely strange” because it took place on a straight, recently renovated stretch of track, Transport Minister Óscar Puente said, adding that the cause of the derailment and collision remains under investigation.

Emergency services, including ambulance crews, mobile intensive care units and search teams, were deployed to the scene. Rescuers worked through the night to reach those trapped amid the wreckage and provide urgent medical care. At least 15 people are in critical condition, according to the President of Andalusia's regional ‌government, Juanma Moreno.

There are reports that more than 150 people sustained injuries, while officials confirmed that 75 injured have been hospitalized. Local authorities have set up response centers near the crash site to assist families seeking information on their loved ones.

In response to the disaster, rail services between Madrid and cities in Andalusia, including Córdoba, Seville and Granada, were suspended on Monday as investigations and safety checks continue. Over 200 high-speed services were cancelled in the aftermath.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez canceled his scheduled engagements to address the crisis and expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims. The collision is now considered one of Spain’s deadliest rail accidents in over a decade, eclipsing incidents in recent years and prompting renewed scrutiny of the country’s high-speed rail system.

As emergency crews continue search and rescue operations, Spanish authorities have cautioned that the death toll could rise as recovery efforts persist and more is learned about the causes of the catastrophic collision.

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