A high-speed train derailment followed by a head-on collision near Adamuz in southern Spain has left at least 39 people dead and dozens more injured, leaving the nation searching for answers about what caused trains on a straight, recently refurbished track to crash.
The accident, one of Spain’s deadliest in recent years, occurred when an Iryo train bound for Madrid derailed and ploughed into an oncoming Renfe train heading to Huelva, sending the second train off the rails and down an embankment.
Authorities are now investigating how such a catastrophic failure could have happened on a section of track that was refurbished less than a year ago and should have been in optimal condition.
Spain Train Collision: What Caused the High-Speed Crash?
The crash unfolded shortly after 6.40 pm local time on Sunday near Adamuz in the province of Córdoba. The first train, an Iryo service from Málaga to Madrid, left the rails and crossed onto the adjacent track.
#spain An Iryo high-speed train from Málaga to Madrid derailed, invading the adjacent track & causing a collision with an AVE train bound for Huelva. At least 5 people confirmed dead, dozens injured, & services between Madrid & malaga suspended. Rescue operations ongoing. pic.twitter.com/mFIvU0SnaV
— Thepagetoday (@thepagetody) January 18, 2026
Almost immediately, it was struck by an oncoming Renfe Alvia train. Both trains derailed, with the Renfe carriages tumbling down an embankment, according to rail operator Adif. Around 400–500 passengers were aboard the two services at the time of the crash. Rescue teams worked through the night to reach survivors and recover those trapped in the wreckage.
Emergency services have pulled at least 75 people to the hospital, including many with serious injuries, while some media outlets cited higher figures of around 100 injured. The victims included passengers of all ages, and officials confirmed that the driver of the Renfe train was among those killed.
Spain Train Collision: Why the Crash Seems “Extremely Strange”
Spanish transport minister Óscar Puente has repeatedly stressed that the cause of the derailment remains unknown, describing the crash as “extremely strange” because it occurred on a straight stretch of track that was completely renovated in May 2025.” He noted that the modern infrastructure and relatively new rolling stock make such a catastrophic failure hard to explain without a full investigation.
Puente and rail officials have not ruled out mechanical failure, infrastructure defects, or operational errors, but stressed it is too early to pinpoint a specific cause as investigators comb through data from the trains’ onboard systems, track sensors, and signalling records.
Spain Train Collision: What Witnesses Reported at the Crash Scene
Passengers described chaotic scenes as the collision unfolded. One traveller recalled the moment the impact hit, saying it felt like “an earthquake”, with emergency hammers used to break windows and help people escape. Other accounts described twisting metal and overturned carriages as emergency services struggled to reach those trapped in narrow spaces.
Locals in the town of Adamuz set up reception centres to help survivors, offering food, blankets, and shelter as night temperatures hovered around 6°C. Hospitals in nearby regions, including Madrid and Andalusia, opened their doors to receive the injured, and regional health chiefs confirmed that seriously wounded patients were rushed for urgent care.
Spain Train Collision: Rail Operations Suspended and National Mourning
In the aftermath of the crash, the rail operator Adif suspended all services between Madrid and Andalucía while investigators and emergency personnel examined the tracks. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as “a night of deep pain” for Spain, and both the king and queen have been closely following developments.
Authorities have also mobilised mental health and support teams to assist families of victims, and stations across the affected corridor are serving as information points for relatives. The national broadcaster and regional governments have pledged cooperation with rescue operations and recovery efforts.
Spain Train Collision: What Comes Next in the Investigation
Officials emphasise that it is premature to conclude what exactly triggered the Iryo train to derail and cross onto the opposite track. With both infrastructure and rolling stock relatively new, investigators will focus on technical data, signal recordings, and maintenance logs to determine whether human error, system malfunction, or other factors played a role.
Transport authorities have promised transparency as the probe continues and have urged the public to await official findings before concluding. Rail safety experts say the results could have significant implications for Spain’s high-speed network, which is among the most extensive and heavily utilised in the world.
