The death toll from the collision between two high-speed trains in Córdoba rises to 21.

Barcelona / MadridTwo high-speed trains derailed Sunday night in Adamuz (Córdoba), leaving at least 21 dead and dozens injured, 25 of them seriously, according to Civil Guard sources. Nearly 500 people were traveling on both trains. The Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, appeared shortly after midnight and explained that no one remained at the scene requiring medical attention, as all the injured had been transferred. However, he also noted that the recovery of the deceased was still underway. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and around 11 p.m., it was confirmed that the Military Emergency Unit (UME) would be deployed, as indicated by sources at the Ministry of Defense. According to Civil Guard sources speaking to EFE, those with minor injuries in the accident, as well as relatives of the passengers, were being taken to the Adamuz sports center.

Almost at midnight, five hours after the accident, Renfe released its first statement explaining the details. The statement describes how at 7:45 p.m., the Iryo train traveling between Málaga and Atocha (Madrid) derailed in Adamuz (Córdoba), "entering the continuous track" and causing the derailment of the Alvia train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Puente admitted that the causes of the derailments are currently unknown and specified that two of the Alvia train's carriages were "thrown out of the track." He also acknowledged that the accident was very "unusual" and that it occurred on a flat section of track.

According to the Andalusian Minister of Health, Antonio Sanz, some of the affected carriages fell down a four-meter embankment, and rescue efforts are underway to free trapped passengers. Furthermore, Sanz warned that the situation "is very serious" and that the death toll could continue to rise. Renfe has also explained that a psychological support group has been set up in Madrid, Córdoba, Huelva, and Seville. According to Renfe sources who confirmed this to EFE, the driver of the Alvia train that collided with the Iryo train that derailed is among the fatalities of the accident. On social media, the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, explained that the impact of the accident was "terrible" and caused the first two carriages of the Renfe train to leave the tracks as a result of the collision.

At midnight, the President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Juanma Moreno, traveled to the scene of the accident to "see firsthand" the situation following the derailment, as he reported via social media. Both companies have activated telephone lines for those requesting information about the accident: Iryo (910 15 0000) and Renfe (900 10 10 20). Adif has also set up a telephone number to assist the families of those affected (900 101 020) and will keep the Atocha train station in Madrid, as well as the Córdoba-Julio Anguita and Sevilla-Santa Justa train stations, open throughout the night. The accident has led to the suspension of high-speed train service between Madrid and Andalusia, and Adif has announced that it will remain suspended throughout Monday, January 19. Based on current data, this would be the most serious train accident since 2013, when an Alvia train traveling from Madrid to Ferrol derailed in Angrois, near Santiago de Compostela, killing 80 people and injuring 145. This Sunday afternoon's derailment in Andalusia is the most serious accident since then.

In an official statement released hours after the accident, Iryo detailed that approximately 300 people were traveling on the derailed train (service 6189), while the Alvia train had 187 passengers. The railway company explained that it "has activated all emergency protocols in collaboration with the competent authorities." The Community of Madrid, where the Iryo train from Malaga was scheduled to arrive and from where the Renfe train bound for Huelva departed, also activated Civil Protection and 112 Emergency personnel, who have been stationed at Atocha station to assist in managing the situation of victims and their families. Throughout the night, some passengers posted on social media that there was smoke on the affected trains and that medical assistance was being requested. The Regional Government of Andalusia has activated the SO1 emergency phase of the Andalusian Civil Protection Territorial Emergency Plan.

Reactions

Reactions to the accident were swift. The first was from the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, who expressed his deep concern about the events. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, also reported that he was closely monitoring the situation and emphasized that the Spanish government was working with all relevant authorities and emergency services to rescue the passengers. The leader of the opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who contacted the Andalusian president, conveyed his deepest sympathies to those affected and their families. Various European leaders also expressed their condolences to the victims of the accident. From the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, all lamented the tragedy.