Spain Train Crash Kills 24 as Two High-Speed Trains Collide

Two high-speed passenger trains derailed and collided near the town of Adamuz in southern Spain on Sunday evening, killing at least 24 people and injuring 245 others. The crash occurred around 7:39 p.m. local time on January 18, 2026, on a straight section of track that had been refurbished just eight months earlier. The collision sent one train's carriages down a 13-foot embankment, creating a scene of chaos that emergency responders worked through the night to manage.

Background

Spain operates the world's second-longest high-speed rail network, a system that has carried millions of passengers safely over decades. The Madrid-Seville high-speed rail line, where Sunday's accident occurred, has been in operation since 1992. Two companies operate trains on this route: Renfe, Spain's state-owned national railway operator, and Iryo, a private company that began offering services in the region in 2023.

The track where the derailment happened was last refurbished in May 2025, just eight months before the accident. Spain has experienced fatal train derailments before, most notably in July 2013 when a train derailed near Santiago de Compostela, killing 79 people. That crash led to significant safety reviews across the Spanish rail system.

Key Details

The first train involved was an Iryo service traveling from Málaga to Madrid, carrying at least 317 passengers. Shortly after stopping at Córdoba-Julio Anguita station, this train derailed while crossing a railroad switch, moving onto the opposite track. The second train, operated by Renfe and traveling from Madrid to Huelva, was moving in the opposite direction on the parallel track when the collision occurred.

The Renfe train sustained the worst damage. Its first two carriages plunged down the embankment, making rescue operations extremely difficult. Access to where the cars came to rest was complicated by the steep terrain and wreckage.

The Victims

Regional authorities confirmed that at least 24 people were killed in the crash. Among those who died was the driver of the Madrid to Huelva train. Of the 245 injured, 170 were treated for minor injuries while 75 others required hospital care. Fifteen of those injured were in critical condition. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continued.

One passenger on the Iryo train described the moment of impact:

"Ten minutes after departing, the train started to shake a lot, and it derailed from coach 6 behind us. The lights went out."

Response and Investigation

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government was working with emergency services to help those affected. The Andalusian regional president, Juanma Moreno, expressed concern and support for the victims and their families. The defense ministry deployed 15 vehicles and 40 personnel from the Military Emergencies Unit to assist at the scene.

The Civil Guard suspended all high-speed rail service between Madrid and Andalusia for the entire day of January 19. The rail operator ADIF established support spaces for relatives of victims at major stations including Atocha, Seville, Córdoba, Málaga, and Huelva.

What This Means

The crash marks a significant safety incident on Spain's rail network and raises questions about what caused the derailment on a recently refurbished track. The fact that two trains collided rather than one simply derailing increased the severity of the accident substantially. The Renfe train's journey down the embankment created a complex rescue situation that stretched emergency services.

The suspension of service between Madrid and Andalusia disrupted travel for thousands of passengers and highlighted the importance of Spain's high-speed rail network to the country's transportation system. Rail authorities will likely conduct a thorough investigation into what caused the initial derailment and whether the track work completed in May 2025 was a factor.

The accident comes as Spain's rail system faces scrutiny over safety standards. While the network is generally considered modern and well-maintained compared to rail systems in other European countries, this crash demonstrates that even recently refurbished tracks can experience failures with devastating consequences.