High-speed train collision kills 21 in Spain (VIDEOS)
Rescue crews worked overnight to help passengers trapped inside damaged carriages
At least 21 people have been killed and dozens more injured after two high-speed passenger trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening.
The crash occurred near the town of Adamuz, close to Cordoba, at 18:40 local time (17:40 GMT), according to Spain’s rail infrastructure administration, Adif. A high-speed train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto a neighboring track around ten minutes after departure.
A second high-speed train traveling in the opposite direction, from Madrid to Huelva, also derailed following the collision. Private rail operator Iryo, which ran the Malaga-Madrid service, confirmed that around 300 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.
At least 21 people were confirmed dead, as rescue crews continued overnight efforts to evacuate passengers trapped inside damaged carriages. Another 73 people were seriously injured, according to Andalusian emergency services.
HORRIBLE: 7 DEAD, AT LEAST 100 INJURED IN HIGH SPEED TRAIN CRASH IN SPAIN.pic.twitter.com/2fBHWIEt5D
— Muhammad Zain Rahoo (@MZainRahoo) January 19, 2026
Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with RTVE who was on one of the trains, said the impact “felt like an earthquake.” In a later post on X, he said passengers were waiting in the “freezing night” for buses to take them to the Adamuz sports center.
A high speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train in southern Spain, pushing the second train off the tracks in a collision that police sources confirmed that killed at least 21 people.
— Echo (@EchoNexusX) January 18, 2026
The accident happened near Adamuz, in Cordoba province pic.twitter.com/uEJDc5Gaqs
Rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident, with affected stations remaining open overnight. Adif said support areas for relatives had been established at major stations in Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Huelva.
Esperando a los autobuses que nos lleven a Madrid. Los pasajeros seguimos aquí en la nave del Coro Romero Virgen del Sol @rne @rtvenoticias @radio5_rne confiemos en que el bus tenga enchufe. pic.twitter.com/jX9iUXUuKk
— Salvador Jiménez (@svjimenez) January 18, 2026
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said the government was coordinating with emergency services as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
The Royal Palace said on X that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were following news of the disaster “with great concern” and extended their “most heartfelt condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the dead.”