Spain has commenced three days of mourning following a train derailment in the southern region of Andalucía that killed at least 40 people and injured dozens. The crash, which occurred Sunday evening near Adamuz in Córdoba province, is the country's worst rail disaster in over a decade.
The high-speed train carrying approximately 300 passengers to Madrid derailed and collided with an oncoming train. Rescue teams are still combing through the wreckage, and officials expect the death toll to rise. Many families are searching for missing loved ones, with some posting photos on social media pleading for information.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the site and vowed a full and transparent investigation. “Spanish society is wondering what happened, how this tragedy could have occurred,” he said. The cause remains unclear, but a source told Reuters that technicians identified a broken joint on the rails, which may have created a gap that widened as trains passed.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the derailment on a straight stretch of track as “really strange”. The section had been renovated in May. The derailed train was less than four years old and had been inspected four days earlier, according to operator Iryo. The state rail company Renfe said human error is “practically ruled out”.
Since 2022, infrastructure manager Adif had flagged ten issues in the area, including signalling failures and power line problems. In August, the train drivers' union warned of severe wear and tear due to increased traffic. However, the union urged caution in linking that warning to the crash.
Emergency services worked through the night, hampered by darkness and a single-track road. Some passengers escaped using emergency hammers to break windows. The mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Moreno, described the scene as “horrific”.
