At least 39 people have died after a high-speed train derailed and collided with an oncoming train near Adamuz in southern Spain on Sunday evening.
The Madrid-bound train reportedly crossed over to the opposite track and struck the southbound train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Authorities warn that the death toll “is more than likely” to rise.
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, described the derailment as “extremely strange,” noting that it occurred on a straight section of the track.
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The president of Renfe, Spain’s state-owned rail operator, said preliminary findings have ruled out excessive speed or human error as the cause. An official investigation has been launched but may take at least a month to determine the cause.
National Mourning Declared
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived at the crash site in Adamuz with a convoy and security detail, calling for Spaniards to unite in grief.
He declared three days of national mourning starting from midnight Sunday. Sánchez praised emergency workers, medics, and local officials for their professionalism and vowed “absolute transparency” in uncovering the cause of the tragedy.
Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno described the crash as an “unprecedented disaster” and said authorities are working to identify the deceased while 48 people remain hospitalized, including five children.
Eyewitness Accounts
Passengers on the trains described harrowing moments as the collision occurred. Rocío Flores, a Madrid-bound passenger, said passengers were flung through the air, leaving some severely injured.
Another passenger, Ana, recounted: “The train tipped to one side, then everything went dark, and all I heard were screams.” She and her sister were rescued by firefighters.
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Video footage filmed inside the train shows staff instructing passengers to remain seated, stay together, and move toward empty seats in the front carriages while emergency operations began.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Over 220 officers from Spain’s Civil Guard are involved in rescue operations at the crash site.
Local officials, including Adamuz Mayor Rafael Ángel Moreno Reyes, praised residents who rushed to help with blankets, food, and assistance immediately after the accident.
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Heavy machinery is being brought in to lift three train carriages that sustained the worst damage, which will allow forensic teams and firefighters to continue searching for victims and recover bodies.
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, who were in Greece for a funeral, cut short their visit to return to Spain, expressing deep concern for the victims and their families.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
