New Delhi: At least 21 people were killed and more than 70 injured after two high-speed trains collided on Sunday evening near Adamuz in Spain’s southern Andalusia region. Emergency services described the situation as extremely challenging, with twisted carriages and difficult terrain hampering rescue efforts through the night.
Officials said a high-speed Malaga-to-Madrid train derailed and crossed onto the opposite track, striking an oncoming train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Both trains went off the rails on impact. Around 300 passengers were reported on board the first train, while the second was an AVE service operated by state-run Renfe.
Andalusia’s top emergencies official, Antonio Sanz, confirmed that 73 people had been injured, with at least 25 suffering severe injuries. Rescue teams worked to evacuate victims to six hospitals across the region. Transport Minister Oscar Puente said approximately 30 people were in serious condition and all injured had been taken to medical facilities.
The derailment occurred on a straight section of track that had recently been renovated. Puente described the accident as “extremely strange,” noting that the first train was nearly new. The rail infrastructure operator ADIF confirmed that the Malaga-Madrid service went off the rails before colliding with the oncoming train.
Rescue teams faced major challenges due to the twisted carriages, some of which had fallen four metres down an embankment. Firefighters reported having to remove bodies to reach trapped survivors, while local residents brought blankets and water to assist victims.
Passengers described chaotic scenes inside the trains. Montse, a survivor on the Huelva-bound train, said the carriages came to an abrupt halt, throwing luggage and causing children to cry. Lucas Meriako, aboard the derailed Malaga-Madrid train, compared the impact to a “horror movie,” with many injured by shattered glass.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the incident a “night of deep pain for our country.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with those affected, while King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were monitoring developments closely.
ADIF announced that high-speed services between Madrid and Andalusian cities including Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, and Huelva would remain suspended at least through Monday. Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
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