Spain’s Deadliest Train Crash in a Decade Kills 21, Halts Andalusia Line
An Iryo train derailed and struck a Renfe service near Córdoba, leaving over 100 injured and shutting down the key Madrid-Andalusia route.
At least 21 people were killed and more than 100 injured after two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz, Córdoba, on Sunday in Spain’s deadliest rail accident in a decade. The crash immediately halted all high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Andalusia, with services suspended for Monday as recovery efforts continue.
The death toll, which stood at two in the early evening, rose sharply through the night, reaching 21 by 11:40 p.m., according to the Guardia Civil. Officials have not ruled out a further increase in fatalities. Among the deceased was the 27-year-old driver of the Renfe train, a resident of Madrid.
At least 30 people are in serious condition. By midnight, 73 adults were under observation across six medical centers in Córdoba and Jaén, in addition to those treated at a field hospital set up at the Adamuz station.
How the Collision Unfolded
The accident occurred at 7:39 p.m. when an Iryo train, service 6189 from Málaga to Madrid with 300 passengers, derailed for unknown reasons as it passed through a set of switches at the Adamuz station, according to rail infrastructure manager Adif. The derailed train then encroached onto the parallel track.
At that moment, a Renfe Alvia train (service 2384) with over 200 passengers traveling from Madrid to Huelva collided with the obstructed track. Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the front of the Renfe train struck the derailed Iryo cars, “sending the first two cars flying and causing the majority of the victims and injuries.”
The first three cars of the Renfe train were severely damaged, with part of the train tumbling down a four-meter embankment. There were 37 people in the first car and 16 in the second. A spokesperson for the Córdoba Fire Department described the scene inside as “a jumble of seats and twisted iron” where “people were trapped in between.” He added that rescuers “had to remove deceased people to rescue living people.”
On the Iryo train, the last three cars (6, 7, and 8) were most affected. Car 8, carrying 33 passengers, overturned completely, trapping travelers who had to be evacuated through windows. Six of the fatalities were from the Iryo service.
In a post on the social network X, Minister Puente called the impact “terrible.” Speaking after midnight, he declined to speculate on the cause of the initial derailment, stating, “we do not know them.” The Commission for the Investigation of Railway Accidents (CIAF), an independent body within the ministry, will lead the investigation.
Puente described the accident as “rare,” “tremendously strange,” and “very difficult to explain,” given that it involved a “practically new” train on a section of track that was “completely renovated” in May.
Massive Emergency Response
Dozens of emergency units, including six mobile ICUs and multiple critical care teams, were dispatched to the scene. An advanced medical post was established at the Adamuz station to triage and stabilize patients before transport. Adif set up a helpline (900 10 10 20) for victims and their families.
The Military Emergencies Unit (UME) arrived from its base in Morón at 12:45 a.m. to assist with rescue and recovery operations. Major stations including Madrid-Puerta de Atocha, Córdoba, and Sevilla-Santa Justa were to remain open overnight, with psychological support teams available in Madrid.
Iryo issued a statement at 9:39 p.m. saying it “deeply regrets” the incident and had activated all emergency protocols. Renfe released its own statement at 11:44 p.m., stressing that the company “and its entire team are with the families of the affected passengers in these difficult moments.”
All Andalusia Trains Suspended
As a result of the crash, all high-speed services to and from Andalusia were cancelled for Monday. Several services on Sunday evening were also suspended. Trains with destinations including Almería, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga, Sevilla, Cádiz, and Huelva are suspended until further notice. Renfe is allowing passengers to change their tickets without cost.
One Avlo train that had already departed from Seville for Madrid was stopped on the tracks after power was cut to the line. A diesel locomotive was dispatched to tow the train, which had been left in the dark and without heat, back to Córdoba.
