At least 21 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a deadly collision involving two high-speed trains in southern Spain, triggering a nationwide suspension of rail services and an urgent investigation into the cause of the disaster.
Spanish authorities warned on Monday night that the death toll could rise, as rescue teams continued working through twisted wreckage near the town of Adamuz, close to Cordoba.
According to Spain’s rail network operator Adif, a high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed on a straight section of track before crossing onto another rail line and crashing into an oncoming train heading from Madrid to Huelva.
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the incident as “extremely strange,” noting that the track had been refurbished in May last year and showed no obvious structural defects.
“The fact that this happened on a straight stretch makes it particularly concerning,” Puente said.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
- 21 confirmed dead
- Over 30 seriously injured and admitted to hospital
- 73 people injured in total, according to Andalusian emergency services
Rescue crews said the severity of the impact complicated recovery efforts.
“We have had to remove bodies just to reach survivors,” Cordoba Fire Chief Francisco Carmona told Spanish broadcaster RTVE.
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