On Sunday evening, a tragic train collision in Andalucía, southern Spain, resulted in at least 39 fatalities. This grim update was provided by authorities on Monday morning, who described the incident as “incredibly unusual.” The earlier death toll was reported at 21.
The collision also left approximately 123 individuals injured. Of these, five are in critical condition, while 24 others are severely hurt. Emergency services stated that victims were transported to hospitals in Córdoba and Andújar. All injured persons have been evacuated, as confirmed by the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, during a press conference at Atocha station in Madrid.
Details of the Collision
The incident occurred at 7:45 PM local time (6:45 PM GMT) near Adamuz, located nearly 200 kilometers north of Málaga. A private railway operator’s train, Iryo, derailed while traveling from Málaga to Madrid’s Atocha station. It collided with another train operated by Renfe, the national railway company, that was heading from Madrid to Huelva.
Initial investigations suggest that the Iryo train’s derailment led to the collision. The Madrid-Huelva service impacted several carriages that had crossed onto its path. The force of the collision was so severe that it caused the first two carriages of the Madrid-Huelva train to be thrown from the tracks.
Emergency Response
Images from the scene revealed both trains surrounded by emergency personnel and ambulances while they worked to assist the injured. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes, with passengers expressing shock at the violence of the impact. Lucas Meriako, a passenger on the Iryo train, recounted the experience as feeling like a “horror movie.”
- Location: Adamuz, Córdoba, Spain
- Date of Incident: January 19, 2026
- Current Death Toll: 39
- Total Injuries: 123
- Critical Condition: 5
- Severely Injured: 24
Investigation and Reactions
Transport Minister Puente remarked on the unusually high safety standards of the Iryo train, which is relatively new. He noted that significant investments have been made in the railway infrastructure, particularly in the section where the accident occurred, which recently underwent updates costing around 700 million euros.
The Spanish government has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. President Pedro Sánchez characterized the collision as a “night of deep sorrow.” He canceled his scheduled agenda to provide support and monitor the situation closely. The Spanish Royal Family has also shown concern for those affected by this grave accident.
Train services on the high-speed line between Madrid and Andalucía are suspended as of Monday, with further updates expected as the investigation continues.
