At least ten dead in the derailment of two high-speed trains in Córdoba

BarcelonaTwo high-speed trains derailed Sunday night in Adamuz (Córdoba), causing at least ten deaths and dozens of injuries, 25 of them serious, according to Civil Guard sources. At 10:00 PM, sources close to the investigation told EFE that it was unknown how many people remained trapped in the trains after the accident.

The incident occurred around 7:30 PM. An Iryo train traveling from Málaga towards Madrid derailed (specifically, the last three cars) near Adamuz. The train departed Málaga at 6:40 PM and the accident occurred an hour later. The derailment caused the train to cross the tracks on the colliding side with an Alvia (Renfe) train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Via social media X (formerly Twitter), the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, explained that the impact of the accident was "terrible," causing the first two carriages of the Renfe train to leave the track as a result of the collision.

Both companies have activated telephone lines for those seeking 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.

In an official statement released hours after the accident, Iryo detailed that approximately 300 people were traveling on the derailed train (service 6189). The railway company explained that it "has activated all emergency protocols in collaboration with the relevant authorities."

Emergency response

The Andalusian Emergency Services have confirmed that the accident resulted in injuries, but the exact number is still unknown. The 061 emergency service has already deployed an emergency response team to the scene. Specifically, five mobile intensive care units and four emergency critical care units have been dispatched.

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 were stationed at Atocha station to assist in managing the victims and their families affected by the accident. Throughout the night, some passengers posted on social media that there was smoke coming from the affected trains and that medical assistance was being requested. The Andalusian Regional Government 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. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also stated 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. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who contacted the Andalusian president, conveyed his deepest sympathies to those affected and their families.