Breaking News: At Least 24 Dead After High-Speed Trains Collide in Spain’s Córdoba Province
ADAMUZ, Spain — Spain has been plunged into a state of national mourning following a catastrophic high-speed rail collision on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026. Authorities confirmed on Monday morning that the death toll has risen to at least 24 people, with hundreds more injured after two passenger trains derailed and collided near the town of Adamuz in the southern province of Córdoba.
The Accident: A “Seismic” Impact
The disaster unfolded at approximately 7:40 p.m. local time (18:40 GMT) on the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line. According to the national rail infrastructure operator, Adif, a private Iryo high-speed train (Frecciarossa 1000) traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed as it was traversing a railroad switch.
The derailment caused the rear carriages of the Iryo train to jump the tracks and swing into the path of an oncoming Renfe train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. The impact was described by survivors as feeling like a massive earthquake.
“The impact was terrible,” stated Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente. “The first two units of the Renfe train were thrown off the tracks and plunged down a four-meter (13-foot) embankment.”
The Renfe train sustained the most significant damage. Among the deceased is the 27-year-old driver of the Renfe train, while dozens of passengers remained trapped in the twisted metal for hours as rescuers worked through the night in near-freezing temperatures.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
As of Monday morning, the official statistics from the Andalusian regional government are as follows:
- Confirmed Deaths: 24 (including one train driver)
- Seriously Injured: 75 (15 remain in critical condition)
- Minor Injuries: Approximately 170 people treated at field hospitals.
The rescue operation was hampered by the remote, difficult-to-reach terrain where the trains came to rest. Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit (UME) was deployed alongside the Red Cross and local fire crews to assist in the recovery. Residents from the nearby village of Adamuz were among the first on the scene, providing blankets, water, and first aid to survivors who had smashed windows with emergency hammers to escape the wreckage.
A “Strange” Occurrence Under Investigation
Minister Óscar Puente has called the incident “truly strange,” noting that the derailment occurred on a straight, flat stretch of track that had recently undergone a €700 million ($728 million) renovation completed in May 2025.
Furthermore, the Iryo train involved was relatively new—less than four years old. Authorities have launched a full-scale forensic investigation to determine if the cause was a technical failure, a track defect, or human error. Officials warned that a final report could take at least a month.
National Reaction and Travel Disruptions
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his official agenda for Monday to monitor the situation, expressing “deep sadness” and offering condolences to the victims’ families. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also released a statement of “great concern” regarding the tragedy.
Travel Advisory:
- All high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia (including Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, and Huelva) remain suspended throughout Monday, January 19.
- Adif has established family assistance centers at Madrid-Atocha, Seville-Santa Justa, and Córdoba stations.
This is the deadliest rail accident in Spain since the 2013 Santiago de Compostela disaster, which claimed 79 lives.
