Spain train crash: '21 dead and over 100 injured' after high-speed train 'derails' heading to Madrid

Passengers are reported to be trapped

A train crash in Spain has killed 21 people, according to reports. Hundreds of passengers headed to Madrid have been injured after the train derailed from the tracks.

The death toll has reportedly risen the 21 with 25 more gravely injured after a train derailed in Andalusia this evening (Sunday, January 18).

It is believed an Iryo train travelling from Malaga, with some 300 passengers in tow, had derailed from the tracks onto an adjacent track.

It is then believed to have caused a crash with a passing train on the other track, that was travelling from Madrid to Huelva, also derailing that one in the process, according to national rail operator ADIF.

Pictures from the harrowing scene show the extent of the damaged locomotives, with one carriage on its side on the tracks.

As passengers were seen scrambling out of smashed windows, more evacuated and injured people could be seen sitting on the side of the tracks.

A reporter for RTVE who was on board the train from Cordoba to the Spanish capital told the channel that one of the carriages had "completely overturned" and had broken windows.

The Minister of the Interior for the region has triggered its emergency protocol and an emergency command station has been established at Adamuz, reports Sky News.

The country's transport minister, Oscar Puente, has also spoken out, describing the situation as "very serious" in a post on X.

He confirmed the last carriages of the Iryo train had come free and "invaded" the opposing track when a Renfe train was passing by.

"The impact has been terrible, causing the first two units of the Renfe train to be thrown off as a result," he said.

"The number of victims cannot be confirmed at this time. The fundamental priority now is to assist the victims."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also said he is "very concerned" about the incident, writing on X: "The Government is working with the rest of the [relevant] authorities and emergency services to assist the passengers."

All high-speed trains have been cancelled between Madrid and Andalusia while emergency services tend to the incident.

ADIF says all rail traffic across Madird, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga and Huelva will be suspended throughout Monday at least and possible into Tuesday.

"The service had departed from Málaga at 18:40 and, at the time of the incident, approximately 300 people were on board," Iyro, the high-speed train operator in Spain, said in a post on X.

"Iryo deeply regrets what has happened and has activated all emergency protocols."

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