Collision near Adamuz, Cordoba leaves 39 dead, 152 injured as rescue operations continue
A catastrophic collision between two high-speed trains in southern Spain has left at least 39 dead and 152 injured, authorities confirmed on Monday. The accident occurred near Adamuz in the province of Cordoba around 7:45 PM local time on Sunday when a Malaga-to-Madrid Iryo train derailed and collided with a Madrid-to-Huelva Renfe train, pushing it down an embankment.
Of the 75 people hospitalized, 15 remain in serious condition, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as rescue teams continue to search the wreckage. Heavy machinery is being deployed to remove twisted train carriages and recover additional victims.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez canceled his schedule to monitor the disaster response, while local authorities, including Adamuz Mayor Rafael Moreno, described the scene as horrific. Over 200 train services between Madrid and Andalucia, including Cordoba, Seville, and Granada, were canceled following the crash.
The collision involved approximately 400 passengers, most Spaniards traveling after the weekend. Emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics, and police, are working under challenging conditions to evacuate survivors, treat the injured, and recover the deceased.
The Spanish Transport Minister stated that the cause of the derailment is unknown, noting that the section of track had been recently renewed in May. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, while rail operators Iryo and Renfe have activated all emergency protocols to assist passengers and families.
This tragic event underscores the dangers of high-speed rail accidents and has prompted nationwide safety reviews as authorities focus on rescue, relief, and recovery operations.
