Atleast 39 killed in high-speed train collision in southern Spain

New Delhi, Jan 19: At least 39 people were killed and dozens were injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening, marking the country’s deadliest rail accident in more than a decade, according to the Civil Guard. The crash occurred near the town of Adamuz in the province of Cordoba when a Madrid-bound train derailed on a straight stretch of track and crossed onto the opposite line, colliding with an oncoming train travelling from Madrid to Huelva. The collision happened at around 7:45 pm local time, roughly an hour after the train departed Malaga. Rail operators said about 400 passengers and staff were on board the two trains combined. Emergency services treated 122 people, with 48 remaining in hospital, including five children. Eleven adults and one child were reported to be in intensive care.

The impact of the crash forced several carriages off the tracks and into an embankment, with most fatalities and serious injuries reported in the front coaches of the second train. Rescue teams said twisted wreckage complicated efforts to reach trapped passengers, requiring delicate and time-consuming operations.

All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident and were expected to remain closed through Monday. Authorities set up assistance centres for relatives of victims at major stations, including Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Huelva, while advanced medical posts were established near the crash site. The trains involved included a Freccia 1000 high-speed model capable of operating at speeds of up to 400 kmph. The cause of the derailment remains unknown, and officials said a full investigation could take at least a month.