Train accident in Córdoba: two trains derail in Adamuz

Barcelona / MadridTwo high-speed trains derailed Sunday night in Adamuz (Córdoba), leaving at least 21 dead and 30 seriously injured. 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 transported. He also lamented, however, 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, according to sources at the Ministry of Defense. Civil Guard sources informed EFE that 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 detailed that two of the Alvia train's carriages were "thrown out of the train" with about fifty people on board. These two carriages then fell down a 4-meter embankment.

The minister, who will travel to the site of the collision tomorrow morning, described the accident as "extremely strange" and specified that it occurred on a straight, flat section of track. "We're not talking about an old track; we're talking about new materials in good condition. It's very strange," Puente insisted. In fact, the minister explained that he believes it will take at least a month to find out what happened. Meanwhile, at almost 2:00 a.m., the president of the Andalusian Regional Government, Juanma Moreno, appeared at the scene of the accident and stated that it would be "very difficult" to extricate victims during the night and warned that it was "very likely" the death toll would rise. Moreno detailed that 16 forensic doctors had been activated to identify the deceased.

Renfe has also explained that a psychological support group has been set up in Madrid, Córdoba, Huelva, and Seville. According to Renfe sources who spoke to EFE, the driver of the Alvia train that collided with the Iryo train that derailed is one of the fatalities in the accident.

Information telephone numbers

Both companies have activated a telephone hotline 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 reported 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, resulting in the deaths of 80 people and injuries to 145. 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 full support to those affected and their families. The Royal Household also sent its condolences to the affected families in a message on Twitter, stating that they were following the serious accident with great concern. Several 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 expressed their sorrow over the "tragedy."