Deadly High-Speed Train Collision in Southern Spain Claims at Least 39 Lives

Adamuz, Córdoba, Spain — January 19, 2026 — In one of the most devastating railway disasters in recent European history, at least 39 people were killed and more than 150 others injured when two high-speed trains collided late Sunday evening near the small town of Adamuz in southern Spain's Córdoba province.

The tragedy unfolded around 7:45 p.m. local time when a northbound Iryo high-speed train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed on a straight section of track. The rear carriages jumped onto the adjacent line, directly into the path of an oncoming Renfe Alvia service heading from Madrid to Huelva. The violent impact derailed the second train as well, sending its front carriages plunging down a 4-meter (13-foot) slope.

Survivors described scenes of chaos and horror: mangled metal, bodies thrown hundreds of yards from the wreckage, passengers climbing out of overturned cars, and local residents rushing to aid blood-soaked victims using their own vehicles as makeshift ambulances.

"The impact felt like an earthquake," said one passenger who was in the first carriage of the Iryo train. Another survivor, María San José, told reporters she was trembling hours later, haunted by the sight of severely injured passengers who could not be saved.

Rescue operations continued through the night and into Monday, with firefighters and emergency teams facing difficult conditions amid the twisted wreckage. Córdoba fire chief Francisco Carmona described the grueling work: "We even had to remove a dead person to reach someone alive."

Death Toll and Injuries

As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least 39 fatalities, with officials stressing that the number is "not final" and could rise further as cranes begin lifting the carriages. More than 150 people received treatment for injuries, with dozens still hospitalized — including 12 in intensive care. Regional president Juanma Moreno of Andalucía noted that some bodies were found far from the impact site due to the "incredibly violent" force of the collision.

The crash marks Spain's deadliest rail accident since the 2013 Santiago de Compostela derailment, which claimed 80 lives after a train took a curve at more than twice the speed limit.

Investigation Underway

Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the incident as "really strange" and "extremely baffling," noting that it occurred on a straight, recently renovated section of track (updated in May 2025) where trains were traveling at relatively moderate speeds — around 200–210 km/h in the braking zone.Initial reports point to a possible faulty rail joint as a key factor, though the Spanish Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF) has opened a formal probe expected to take at least a month. Human error has been largely ruled out at this early stage.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos and visited the site on Monday, declaring three days of national mourning. "This is a night of deep pain for our country," he said, vowing a "full and transparent" investigation.

High-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalucía have been suspended, affecting thousands of travelers on one of Europe's most extensive and modern networks.

17GEN4.com