Spain: Two high-speed passenger trains collided late Sunday evening on a major rail corridor in southern Spain, triggering one of the country’s worst rail disasters in more than a decade. According to Reuters, one train derailed on a high-speed line near Córdoba province and struck another oncoming service, causing multiple carriages to overturn and scatter across the tracks.
Hundreds of emergency workers, including firefighters, police and medical teams, were deployed to the crash site. Passengers were evacuated from mangled carriages, some through broken windows, and the injured were taken to hospitals across the region. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled scheduled engagements and expressed condolences to victims’ families, Reuters reported.
Spain operates one of the world’s largest high-speed rail networks, second only to China, and rail travel is generally considered safe. The New York Times noted that fatal accidents on high-speed lines are rare, with the last major tragedy occurring in 2013 near Santiago de Compostela, when a train derailment killed 80 people and led to tighter safety oversight.
A formal judicial and technical investigation has been launched to determine responsibility and prevent a recurrence. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols, signalling systems and maintenance records. As the country mourns the victims, the findings of the probe are likely to reignite debate over rail safety and infrastructure oversight in Spain, according to Reuters and the New York Times.
How many people were killed or injured?
At least 39 people were killed and more than 120 others were injured, several of them critically, Reuters reported, citing Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. Emergency officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continued search operations through the wreckage. Around 400 passengers were believed to be travelling on the two trains combined at the time of the collision.Where did the accident take place and which routes were affected?
The crash occurred near the town of Adamuz in Córdoba province, on a key high-speed corridor linking southern Spain with Madrid. Rail authorities suspended services on the affected stretch, leading to widespread disruptions across the high-speed network. Several long-distance and regional routes were cancelled as safety checks were initiated, Reuters reported.What is known about the cause of the collision so far?
The cause of the derailment that led to the collision remains unclear. Spanish officials said the accident took place on a straight section of track that had undergone recent maintenance, raising questions about whether technical failure, signalling issues or human error were involved. Investigators have begun analysing train data recorders and track infrastructure, according to Reuters.Hundreds of emergency workers, including firefighters, police and medical teams, were deployed to the crash site. Passengers were evacuated from mangled carriages, some through broken windows, and the injured were taken to hospitals across the region. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled scheduled engagements and expressed condolences to victims’ families, Reuters reported.
Spain operates one of the world’s largest high-speed rail networks, second only to China, and rail travel is generally considered safe. The New York Times noted that fatal accidents on high-speed lines are rare, with the last major tragedy occurring in 2013 near Santiago de Compostela, when a train derailment killed 80 people and led to tighter safety oversight.
A formal judicial and technical investigation has been launched to determine responsibility and prevent a recurrence. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols, signalling systems and maintenance records. As the country mourns the victims, the findings of the probe are likely to reignite debate over rail safety and infrastructure oversight in Spain, according to Reuters and the New York Times.
