A devastating high-speed train crash in southern Spain has left at least 21 people dead and 100 injured, with 25 of those injuries being severe. The tragedy occurred near the town of Adamuz in the Cordoba province, approximately 330 kilometers south of Madrid, on the evening of January 19, 2026. The collision involved two trains, one traveling from Madrid to Huelva and the other from Malaga to Madrid, operated by private rail company Iryo and state-owned Renfe, respectively.
The Iryo train, carrying over 300 passengers, derailed and crashed onto the adjacent track, where the Renfe train, with around 100 passengers, was also derailed. The impact was so severe that the first two carriages of the Renfe train were thrown off the track. The driver of the Madrid-bound train was among the fatalities, according to Spain's national broadcaster.
The accident occurred at 6:40 p.m. local time, and emergency services were swift in their response. Images from the scene showed one carriage off the rails and tilted, with emergency workers attempting to rescue passengers through its broken windows. The Cordoba fire chief, Paco Carmona, reported that the first train heading to Madrid had been evacuated, but the other train's carriages were badly damaged, with twisted metal and seats.
The local mayor, Rafael Moreno, described the scene as 'horrific,' with a badly lacerated body found several meters from the accident site. The royal palace expressed deep condolences and support for the victims, with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia following the situation 'with great concern.'
The Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the impact was 'terrible' and that the number of victims could not be confirmed at the time. The focus was on helping the victims and managing the emergency situation.
Passengers on both trains provided harrowing accounts of the incident. A woman named Carmen, who was on the Iryo train, described how the train started shaking violently and derailed just ten minutes after departing from Cordoba. She mentioned that the lights went out, and passengers had to use emergency hammers to break the windows and escape.
Another passenger, a journalist named Salvador Jimenez, shared images of the rear carriage lying on its side, with evacuated passengers sitting on the side facing upwards. He recounted how passengers used emergency hammers to break the windows and climb out, and two people were taken out of the overturned carriages on stretchers. The lack of communication from the train company added to the uncertainty of the situation.
The aftermath of the crash saw a reception center set up in the nearby town of Adamuz, where residents brought food and blankets to help the passengers, especially as nighttime temperatures dropped to around 6 degrees. The focus now is on providing support and assistance to the victims and their families, as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
