Spain train crash UPDATES as 21 dead and over 100 injured after high-speed trains bound for Madrid 'derail'

Hundreds have been injured, with many others still trapped as the horror rail disaster continues to unfold.

A train crash in Spain has killed 21 people, according to reports, with the death toll on the rise and hundreds of others on the Madrid-bound train left injured.

An unknown number of people are trapped after the two high-speed trains derailed in Adamuz, near Córdoba in southern Spain, on Sunday evening (January 18) according to railway operator ADIF.

It has been confirmed that a total of 300 passengers were on board one of the trains, an Iyro service from Malaga.

This is a breaking and developing story. Follow our live blog below to keep across all the updates.

02:32KEY EVENT

Death roll rises to 24 with train driver among the dead

The death toll has now risen from 21 to 24, Spanish newspaper Cadena SER writes. The regional media outlet quoted unnamed emergency operators as it said three more bodies have now been uncovered by rescue teams.

It is understood that one of the bodies has been identified as one of the train drivers, but The Mirror has been unable to confirm these reports and the incident remains ongoing.

Emergency crews are working into the night as the rescue and recovery mission continues, with crews hoping to find survivors who may still be alive, yet trapped.

In total, the tally sits at 24 deaths, 15 critical injuries, 30 serious injuries, and 170 minor injuries. Authorities are yet to confirm the number of those missing.

01:43Rachel Vickers-Price

President gives gloomy death toll prediction, says train derailment will claim more than 21 lives tonight

Andalusian president Moreno Bonilla has revealed that first responders raced to free passengers from little more than a "twisted wreck", with the train carriages left crumpled and "in a deplorable state" after the catastrophic collision in Córdoba.

While the death toll sits at 21, it is expected to rise throughout the night as the complex recovery mission begins. Moreno warned fellow Spaniards ,to prepare for a long night ahead that is likely to be full of bad news. He said tonight’s disaster was "a very serious accident that will leave more than 20 dead.”

"The circumstances are complex and difficult,” he said, adding context by saying: “Heavy machinery needs to be used to see if there are any bodies and how many."

01:16Rachel Vickers-Price

Mass emergency response initiated as Spain rocked by double rail disaster 

The Andalusian Regional Government confirmed this evening that it has engaged its emergency health response after the two trains derailed in Adamu on Sunday.

According to regional sources, blood stores have also been redistributed across the transfusion network to provide additional supplies to Córdoba and Jaén in order to treat the injured. Andújar Hospital in Jaén and Seville’s Virgen del Rocío Hospital have also been placed on alert and had resources ready to go in“permanent coordination” in case of any hospital transfers.

Earlier on Sunday, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that a raft of first responders were called to take part in a mass coordinated emergency health response. Units dispatched to the scene included four critical care units, six mobile intensive care units (ICU) from the 061 emergency service, two critical transport ICUs, two logistics support vehicles, three conventional ambulances, five scheduled transport ambulances and two Red Cross ambulances.

00:49Rachel Vickers-Price

Spanish Transport Minister reveals what authorities know so far

Spain's Minister of Transport Óscar Puente has addressed his country in the wake of Sunday's double train crash in Adamuz.

Puente confirmed in a televised address that all passengers have now been extricated from the twin wreckages.All those who were injured have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, he added.

The death toll currently sits at 21. It may continue to rise, Puente said, before recounting Sunday's horrific chain of events as they unfolded.

Spain's Transport Minister confirmed that the last few carriages of the Iryo-run train, which had been hurtling towards the nation's capital of Madrid, had derailed and "with the misfortune that at that moment an Alvia [train was] travelling towards [the port city of Huelva. It was] travelling parallel to it and in the opposite direction."

"The first two carriages of the Alvia train were derailed, and that caused most of the fatalities and injuries," he said.

He then emphasised the mind-boggling bad timing of the derailment, adding: "If there hadn't been a train travelling in the opposite direction at that moment, we probably wouldn't even be talking about injuries."

He said authorities still do not know what caused the initial derailment and subsequent crash, adding that the incident was "very strange" crash.

Andalusian president Juanma Moreno confirmed earlier this evening that 75 people have been hospitalised, with 15 of them classed as being in a critical or serious condition.

00:42Paige Ingram

Spain's prime minister shares 'deep pain' in message of support

Taking to X Pedro Sánchez, Spain's prime minister, has shared a message to the familes and loved ones of the victims, the message of support reads: "Tonight is a night of deep pain for our country due to the tragic railway accident in Adamuz. I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. No words can alleviate such immense suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country stands with them in this extremely difficult moment. All emergency services are working in a coordinated manner without rest."

00:25Paige Ingram

High-speed services suspended until Tuesday

A spokesperson for ADIF wrote on X: "We are working in coordination with emergency services and railway companies regarding the accident that has taken place in Adamuz (Córdoba).

"High-speed services between Madrid and Córdoba, Sevilla, Málaga, Granada and Huelva will remain suspended, at least, throughout Monday 19 January. Services between Madrid and Cádiz, Algeciras and Granada will also be affected.

"Tonight, the stations of Madrid Puerta de Atocha, Córdoba Julio Anguita and Sevilla Santa Justa will remain open.

"Adif and @Renfe are providing spaces at Atocha, Sevilla, Córdoba, Málaga and Huelva stations to assist relatives of the victims who may need support. @iryo_eu has also set up spaces at Atocha, Sevilla and Córdoba."

00:17Paige Ingram

Photos from the scene

00:07KEY EVENT

Officials confirm at least 21 people killed

According to the interior ministry 21 people are now reported to have died in a train derailment in Spain after a train travelling from Malaga to Madrid with 317 people on board derailed.

More than 100 people are injured, according to Spanish media.

00:02Paige Ingram

Helpline for information and assistance set up

Iryo, the owner of the first train that derailed, has set up a helpline for affected people to get information and assistance.

The helpline number is +34 900 001 402.

00:01Paige Ingram

The Spanish royal family 'extend deepest condolences'

The Spanish royal family says it is following the incident "with great concern". The official X account for the family shared: "We are following with great concern the serious accident between two high-speed trains in Adamuz. We extend our deepest condolences to the family members and loved ones of the deceased, as well as our affection and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured."

23:59Paige Ingram

President of Andalusia en route to the scene

Juanma Moreno, the president of Andalusia, took to X to write: "On the way to Adamuz to assess the situation firsthand and stand alongside the operatives deployed to assist the victims of this terrible and tragic railway accident. Thanks to all the Emergency teams, volunteers, and neighbors for their dedication and help."

Hours earlier he confirmed an Advanced Medical Post had been set up in the area, to help triage the injured people, offer healthcare services and stabilise the injured before transfer to hospitals.

23:52KEY EVENT

Train operator says it 'deeply regrets' incident

Train operator Iyro, which runs high-speed services in Spain, confirmed on X that the derailment took place on the Malaga to Madrid service. They wrote: "The service had departed from Málaga at 18:40 and, at the time of the incident, approximately 300 people were on board. Iyro deeply regrets what has happened and has activated all emergency protocols."

The company says it is working closely with the relevant authorities to manage the situation.

23:49KEY EVENT

Spanish PM says he is "very concerned"

Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish PM, says he is "very concerned" about the accident. Taking to X he wrote: "The Government is working with the rest of the [relevant] authorities and emergency services to assist the passengers."

23:47Paige Ingram

Transport minister monitoring situation

Óscar Puente, Spain's minister of transport and sustainable mobility, said he is monitoring the situation.

"I've been at the 24-hour centre of ADIF for half an hour now, following the information on the serious train accident in Adamuz (Córdoba)," he posted on X.

"I'll keep updating here with any confirmed developments."

His latest update reads: "The latest information coming in is very serious. The last units of the Iryo train heading toward Madrid have derailed, with those cars invading the opposite track where, at that moment, a Renfe train heading toward Huelva was traveling.

"The impact has been terrible, causing the first two units of the Renfe train to be thrown off as a result. The number of victims cannot be confirmed at this time. The fundamental priority now is to assist the victims."

23:45Paige Ingram

Ursula von der Leyen sends 'deepest condolences' to loved ones of victims

Taking to X the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote: "I receive the terrible news from Córdoba. My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the railway accident and to the Spanish people. I wish the injured a swift and full recovery. Tonight you are in my thoughts."