A catastrophic collision between two high-speed passenger trains in southern Spain has left at least 40 people dead and dozens more injured, in one of the country's worst rail disasters in recent years.
The Moment of Impact
The deadly accident occurred at approximately 7:45 pm on Sunday, 18 January 2026, close to the town of Adamuz in the province of Córdoba. According to the state rail infrastructure manager Adif, an Iryo service travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and veered onto an adjacent track. It then collided with a Renfe-operated train heading in the opposite direction, from Madrid to Huelva.
The force of the impact sent the front carriages of the Renfe train careering down a steep embankment. The 27-year-old driver of the Madrid-to-Huelva service was confirmed among the fatalities. Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, stated that the majority of deaths and serious injuries were concentrated in the first two carriages of the Renfe train, which bore the brunt of the collision.
Rescue Efforts and Passenger Accounts
Emergency services faced a complex and challenging rescue operation in the cold night air, with temperatures dropping to around 6°C. Approximately 400 passengers were spread across the two trains—over 300 on the Iryo service and about 100 on the Renfe train. Many were Spanish residents returning to or departing from Madrid after the weekend.
Paco Carmona, the fire chief of Córdoba, reported that while the Iryo train was evacuated within hours, the Renfe carriages were severely damaged. "There are still people trapped," he said. "We have to remove the bodies to reach anyone who is still alive." Local residents in Adamuz opened a reception centre, providing food and blankets for survivors.
Passengers described scenes of terror inside the carriages. "There are many injured. I am still trembling," said 33-year-old María San José, who was on the Iryo train. Another passenger travelling to Huelva told TVE: "There were people screaming, their bags fell from the shelves. I was travelling... in the fourth carriage, the last, luckily."
Investigation and Nationwide Disruption
The cause of the initial derailment remains unknown, prompting a major investigation. Minister Puente described the incident as "really strange," noting it happened on a straight section of track that had been renewed just eight months prior, in May 2025. Investigators are expected to scrutinise technical faults, signalling data, and maintenance records.
The immediate aftermath has seen significant travel disruption. All rail services between Madrid and the Andalusia region have been suspended indefinitely while the investigation and recovery work continue. Officials confirmed that 43 reports of missing persons have been filed at police stations in Huelva, Madrid, Málaga, Córdoba, and Seville.
As of Tuesday, 20 January, twelve people remained in intensive care. The president of the Andalusia region, Juan Manuel Moreno, highlighted the difficulties rescue crews faced in bringing heavy equipment to the remote site to lift the wreckage and search for victims.
