In a devastating blow to Spain’s reputation for rail safety, a high-speed train crash in the southern region has claimed the lives of at least 42 people, making it the country’s worst rail disaster in over a decade. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, a complex web of questions surrounds the causes of this tragic incident.
The CIAF rail investigatory commission has launched a comprehensive analysis to determine what led to the derailment of a train travelling north from Málaga on a straight section of the route, causing it to collide with an oncoming train, which was also derailed. The Spanish government has described the accident as “extremely strange,” leaving both officials and the public searching for answers.
While initial reports have ruled out human error as the primary cause, given that neither train was travelling at excessive speeds, investigators are now focusing their attention on the train itself and the condition of the track. Carriage number six of the train, manufactured by the Italian firm Iryo in 2022, is set to undergo a meticulous examination as it was the first to derail, potentially offering crucial clues.
Intriguingly, the revelation that a section of the track at the crash site was broken has sparked speculation that this could be the culprit. However, the government has cautioned against such conclusions, noting that the track may have been damaged by the force of the collision itself.
Underlying concerns about the state of Spain’s high-speed rail network have also come to the forefront. It has emerged that the rail infrastructure administrator, Adif, had previously highlighted eight technical issues on the line near the accident site on social media over the past year, most of which were related to signalling. Additionally, Adif has reduced the speed limit for the AVE along a 150-km stretch between Madrid and Barcelona due to concerns about the condition of the line.
Social media users have also shared their own experiences, with some expressing fears for their safety while travelling on AVE trains, citing instances of uncomfortable vibrations and movements. In 2025, the train drivers’ union, Semaf, issued a communiqué warning that the state of several AVE lines was causing a “lack of comfort and reliability” for travellers and called for a reduction in speed limits to ensure the safety of both workers and passengers.
Despite these concerns, the government has maintained that the section of track where the accident took place was renovated just last year, as part of a broader €700 million investment to update the Madrid-Andalusia network. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged to conduct the investigation with “absolute transparency” and make the findings known to the Spanish public.
As the nation mourns the loss of life, the future of Spain’s renowned high-speed rail system hangs in the balance. The answers uncovered by the investigation could have far-reaching implications, not only for the country’s transportation infrastructure but also for public trust in one of Europe’s most admired rail networks.
