A peaceful evening in southern Spain turned into a scene of chaos on Sunday when a high-speed train derailed and collided with another train traveling in the opposite direction.
The accident near Cordoba has left at least 21 people dead and dozens more injured, according to Spain’s transport minister.
How the Crash Unfolded
The disaster involved an evening train from Malaga to Madrid carrying around 300 passengers.
Around 7:45 pm, the tail end of this train left the tracks and crashed into an oncoming train from Madrid to Huelva, which had about 200 passengers on board.
The impact caused significant damage to both trains, especially to the front carriages of the Renfe-operated train.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente confirmed the death toll had reached 21 shortly after midnight, while noting that there might still be more victims.
Andalucia regional president Juanma Moreno added that 75 passengers were hospitalized, 15 of them with serious injuries, mostly taken to nearby Cordoba.
Rescue Efforts in Difficult Conditions
Emergency teams faced a challenging night as they worked in the cold and clear evening.
The Spanish Red Cross established a help center in Adamuz, close to the crash site, to assist both emergency responders and relatives seeking information.
Members of Spain’s Civil Guard and Civil Defence were also on site, working tirelessly to secure the area.
Regional officials warned that the night would be long and difficult.
“We have a very difficult night ahead,” said Antonio Sanz, Andalucia’s regional health chief.
Emergency teams focused on carefully removing survivors and victims from the wreckage.
Unanswered Questions About the Cause
Authorities are still investigating what caused the derailment.
Minister Puente described the incident as “truly strange,” pointing out that it occurred on a flat stretch of track that had been renovated just last May.
The derailed train, operated by the private company Iryo, was less than four years old.
Iryo released a statement expressing deep regret over the accident and said it was cooperating fully with the authorities.
The train it collided with belonged to Renfe, Spain’s public rail company.
Puente explained that the rear section of the Iryo train derailed and struck the front of the Renfe train, dislodging its first two carriages and sending them down a four-meter slope.
He added that an investigation into the cause could take up to a month.
Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Harrowing Scenes
Journalist Salvador Jimenez, traveling on one of the derailed trains, described the experience to Spanish broadcaster RTVE.
“There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed,” he said.
Passengers used emergency hammers to break windows and escape, with some managing to walk away with minor injuries.
Videos from the scene show people crawling out of windows while carriages leaned precariously to one side.
Local Communities and Rescue Teams Rally
The crash site, near the village of Adamuz, was difficult to access, forcing local authorities and volunteers to navigate challenging terrain.
Residents brought blankets, water, and other supplies to help the victims.
Spain’s military emergency units, Civil Protection teams, and the Red Cross all joined the ongoing rescue operation.
Francisco Carmona, chief firefighter of Cordoba, reported that at least four carriages were derailed and badly damaged, highlighting the severity of the crash.
Maria Belen Moya Rojas, regional Civil Protection chief, emphasized the importance of local support for the ongoing efforts.
National and International Condolences
The tragedy has drawn an outpouring of sympathy.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences on social media: “Tonight is one of deep sadness for our country.
I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims.”
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also shared their concern and grief online, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that she was following “the terrible news” from Cordoba and kept the victims in her thoughts.
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