The number of people killed in a devastating high-speed train collision in Spain has increased to 40, with rescue workers warning the figure could climb further as they continue to search the wreckage.
Investigation Points to Critical Track Failure
Authorities leading the investigation into the cause of the crash have identified a faulty joint on the rails as a key focus. A source briefed on the initial findings told Reuters that the defect created a gap between rail sections, which progressively widened as trains passed over it.
The catastrophic incident, which occurred in a remote and hilly area, is now considered one of the worst railway accidents in Europe in the last eight decades. The challenging terrain has significantly hampered rescue and recovery operations.
Sequence of a Disaster
The collision unfolded when an Iryo train, travelling from Malaga to Madrid at approximately 110 kilometres per hour, derailed. A second train then collided with the rear carriages of the first train or with debris scattered across the line.
Spanish officials provided an update on the situation on Monday 19 January 2026, confirming the rising death toll and outlining the support being offered to hundreds of distraught family members. Authorities have requested DNA samples from relatives to assist in the difficult process of identifying the victims.
Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Emergency crews are still painstakingly sifting through the mangled metal at the crash site, fearing more bodies may be discovered. The remote location continues to present major logistical challenges for the response teams.
While experts were initially described as 'baffled' by the cause, the discovery of the faulty rail joint provides a critical line of enquiry for the ongoing probe into this tragic transport disaster.
