Dozens Dead After High-Speed Train Collision in Southern Spain

What was supposed to be a routine evening commute turned into a nightmare in southern Spain, as two high-speed trains collided in a violent derailment that has left at least 40 dead, dozens injured, and many still trapped beneath twisted metal and debris.

The crash occurred near Adamuz in Cordoba Province at around 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday. Both trains traveling at speeds nearing 130 miles per hour were on track when disaster struck. According to reports, the last two cars of a northbound train from Malaga to Madrid derailed first, slid across the track, and collided head-on with a southbound train from Madrid to Huelva. The second train was thrown down an embankment upon impact.

The result was carnage.

• Eyewitnesses described "utter chaos" as passengers, many severely injured, scrambled to escape the wreckage.

• Bodies were found scattered far from the site, a grim testament to the force of the crash.

• More than 400 people were aboard the two trains combined at the time of the crash.

The scene is being described as one of the worst rail disasters in Spain in recent memory, and officials still don’t know exactly what caused it. What’s raising even more questions is the fact that the section of track where the accident occurred had just been recently renovated and is considered one of the safest in the network.

Spanish Transportation Minister Óscar Puente admitted, “The accident is extremely strange. All the experts we have consulted are extremely baffled.” His statement only added to the confusion and frustration felt by victims' families.

As rescue workers continue digging through the debris, the Red Cross has set up emergency shelters near Adamuz to provide food and emotional support for survivors and waiting families. But as Red Cross official Carmen Moreno made clear, food isn’t what people want most it’s answers.

“What people are demanding most is information. There is a lot of tension, a lot of anxiety… and sadness,” Moreno said.

This tragedy comes as a severe blow to Spain’s reputation for transportation safety. With the largest high-speed rail network in Europe and the second-largest in the world behind only China—Spain’s rail system is often held up as a model for efficient and modern infrastructure. Sunday’s crash has shattered that image.

With service suspended between Madrid and Andalusia, the nation is now not only mourning but grappling with how such a catastrophic failure could happen on one of the world’s most celebrated rail lines.

As investigations unfold, one thing is certain: families deserve the truth, accountability, and a system that prioritizes safety over appearances.

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