Tragedy struck Spain’s high-speed rail network when two trains collided violently near Cordoba, killing 21 and injuring over 70, with 30 in grave condition. The Sunday evening disaster in Adamuz, 20 km from Cordoba, involved a packed Malaga-to-Madrid service derailing into the path of a Madrid-Huelva train.
Minister of Transport Oscar Puente updated the public Monday, confirming the fatalities and stressing the severity of injuries requiring intensive hospital care. Eyewitness accounts describe a thunderous impact as the derailed train’s final two cars met the front of the opposing service, derailing additional coaches and igniting small fires amid twisted wreckage.
Andalusia’s emergency apparatus sprang into action, augmented by military rescuers and community volunteers who played a crucial role in triaging survivors. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez shared his deep condolences online, terming it ‘a devastating night for Spain,’ with the royal family similarly moved to public grief.
Adif responded swiftly by establishing family assistance centers in Madrid’s Atocha, Malaga, and Huelva, complete with a 24/7 helpline. Rail operations on the vital corridor remain paralyzed through Tuesday at minimum, stranding passengers and freight alike.
As dawn broke on the grim site, crews continued extracting remains, with officials warning the casualty count may climb. This event painfully recalls the 2013 Galicia derailment that claimed 79 lives from speeding, fueling debates on rail safety enhancements and signaling technology in Europe’s rail powerhouse.