High-velocity train crash in Spain claims the lives of at least 21

A minimum of 21 individuals have lost their lives in a train accident in southern Spain, with numerous others injured, as officials cautioned that fatalities may rise in what is Spain’s worst railway disaster in over ten years.

Carriages on a train heading to Madrid derailed and crossed to the opposite tracks, crashing into an oncoming train in Adamuz, close to Córdoba.

Both trains had around 400 passengers and crew onboard, the rail operators reported. At least 24 individuals sustained severe injuries in the crash, including four minors, as per Andalusia’s emergency services.

Óscar Puente, Spain’s Transport Minister, characterized the circumstance as “highly unusual” as authorities commenced an inquiry.

All railway experts engaged by the government “are profoundly astonished by the incident,” Puente informed reporters in Madrid.

The rail network provider Adif noted that the crash occurred roughly ten minutes after the train departed Málaga at 18:40 local time (17:40 GMT) en route to Madrid, derailing on a straight section of track.

The impact of the collision shoved the carriages of the second train into an embankment, Puente stated. He further mentioned that most of the deceased and injured were in the front carriages of the second train, which was traveling from Madrid to Huelva.

The train type involved in the incident was a Freccia 1000, capable of reaching maximum speeds of 400 km/h (250 mph), according to a representative for the Italian rail firm Ferrovie dello Stato speaking to Reuters.

Rescue personnel indicated that the mangled wreckage of the trains complicated the recovery of those trapped within the carriages.

Córdoba fire chief Francisco Carmona mentioned to the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE: “We even had to remove a deceased individual to access someone alive. It is challenging, intricate work.”

Salvador Jimenez, a journalist from RTVE who was on one of the trains, stated that the impact felt like an “earthquake”.

“I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed,” Jimenez recounted.

Video footage from the site appears to indicate that some train carriages had toppled on their sides. Rescue teams can be observed climbing the train to extract individuals through the skewed train doors and windows.

A passenger heading to Madrid, José, informed public broadcaster Canal Sur “There were people and screaming, calling for medical help.”

All rail services connecting Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended following the incident and are anticipated to remain closed throughout Monday.

Iryo, a private railway company that managed the trip from Málaga, indicated that approximately 300 passengers were onboard the train that initially derailed, while the other train – run by the state-owned firm Renfe – had about 100 passengers.

The exact cause is yet unknown. An inquiry is expected to take at least a month to ascertain what occurred, based on the transport minister’s statements.

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, remarked that the nation would experience a “night of profound sorrow”.

Rafael Moreno, the mayor of Adamuz, was among the first responders, narrating the scene as “a nightmare”.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia expressed their concern over the tragedy, stating they have been closely monitoring news related to the disaster.

“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, as well as our wishes for a swift recovery to those injured,” announced the royal palace on X.

The emergency services in the Andalusia region asked any survivors of the crash to contact their relatives or post on social media to confirm their safety.

Medical stations have been established for affected passengers to receive treatment for their injuries and be transferred to hospitals. Adif has arranged areas for the victims’ relatives at Atocha, Seville, Córdoba, Málaga, and Huelva stations.

The Spanish Red Cross has mobilized emergency response teams to the site, while also providing counseling to nearby families.

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez from the Red Cross informed RNE radio: “The families are experiencing significant anxiety due to insufficient information. These are very troubling times.”

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, and Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, have all issued statements extending condolences.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire nation of Spain. France is by your side,” Macron posted on social media.

In 2013, Spain experienced its most catastrophic high-speed train derailment in Galicia, located in north-western Spain, which resulted in 80 fatalities and 140 injuries.

Spain’s high-speed rail network is the second largest globally, following China, linking over 50 cities throughout the nation. Data from Adif indicates the Spanish rail system spans more than 4,000 km (2,485 miles).