At least 21 dead after high-speed trains collide near Córdoba, Spain
A high-speed train derailed and crashed into an oncoming service near Córdoba on Sunday evening, killing at least 21 and injuring dozens. Authorities have launched an inquiry.
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By Torontoer Staff
At least 21 people died and dozens were injured after a high-speed passenger train derailed and struck an oncoming service near Córdoba in Andalusia on Sunday evening, Spain’s transport minister said. The tail end of an Iryo service running between Malaga and Madrid left the tracks at about 7:45 p.m. local time and collided with a Renfe train travelling from Madrid to Huelva.
Rescue teams pulled survivors from wreckage through the night. Authorities said 73 injured passengers were taken to hospitals and that emergency units, the military and the Red Cross joined the response. Rail services between Madrid and Andalusian cities were suspended on Monday.
How the crash unfolded
According to infrastructure operator Adif and Transport Minister Óscar Puente, the rear carriages of the Iryo train derailed, crossed onto the opposite track and collided with the head of the Renfe train. The impact knocked the first two carriages of the Renfe service off the rails and down a four-metre slope, producing the most severe damage to that front section.
This is a truly strange incident, because it happened on a flat stretch of track that had been renovated in May.
Óscar Puente, Spain’s Transport Minister
The Iryo train was reported to be less than four years old. Iryo issued a statement saying it "deeply lamented what has happened" and is cooperating with authorities.
Rescue operations and casualties
Regional health authorities said 73 injured passengers were distributed among six hospitals. Puente said rescuers had removed all survivors by shortly after midnight, but he cautioned that the death toll could still rise as officials complete the identification process.
We have a very difficult night ahead.
Antonio Sanz, Andalusia regional health chief
Francisco Carmona, chief of firefighters in Córdoba, described one of the trains as badly mangled, with at least four wagons off the rails. Journalists and passengers on board reported chaotic scenes, with some people using emergency hammers to break windows and others crawling out of tilted carriages to escape.
There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed.
Salvador Jiménez, RTVE journalist and passenger
- Emergency services, including regional Civil Protection units, responded at the scene.
- Spain’s military emergency relief units and the Red Cross supported rescue and medical operations.
- Local residents provided blankets and water to survivors while teams worked in difficult terrain.
Investigation and immediate impact
Officials have not determined the cause of the accident. Puente said investigators will examine the track, the trains and operational data, and that the inquiry could take about a month. The stretch of track where the derailment occurred had been renovated in May, he said.
Tonight you are in my thoughts.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Adif announced that services between Madrid and Andalusia would remain suspended on Monday as investigators and emergency crews continue work at the site near Adamuz, a rural area that posed access challenges for first responders. Both Iryo and Renfe are cooperating with authorities as the probe proceeds.
What to expect next
Authorities will prioritise victim identification, support for families and a full technical investigation into infrastructure, signalling and vehicle performance. Transport officials and rail operators face scrutiny over maintenance, safety procedures and the recent renovation work on the track.
The province of Córdoba remains focused on recovery and victim support. As emergency operations continue, officials asked the public to avoid the area to allow rescue teams to work without interference.
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