In a tragic incident that has shaken the nation, at least 39 people have been killed and dozens more injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain. The accident, which occurred near the city of Córdoba, has been described by local officials as the country’s worst rail disaster in more than a decade.
The incident took place around 7:45 pm local time on Sunday, about an hour after one of the trains, travelling from Málaga to Madrid, had departed. The train reportedly derailed and crossed over to the opposite track, colliding with an oncoming train travelling from south Madrid to Huelva. The majority of those killed and injured were in the front carriage of the Huelva-bound train, according to the Transport Minister Óscar Puente.
The cause of the crash remains unclear, with officials stating that an investigation has been launched, though it is not expected to determine what happened for at least a month. Puente has described the incident as “extremely strange,” and said that all the railway experts consulted by the government “are extremely baffled by the accident.”
The president of Spain’s state-owned rail operator, Renfe, has dismissed the possibility that the incident occurred due to excessive speed or human error, suggesting that a mechanical fault or an infrastructure issue was a more likely cause. Both trains were reportedly travelling within the maximum speed limit on the stretch of track where the collision occurred.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with emergency services working to free any passengers still trapped inside the twisted, mangled carriages. The president of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, has stated that they are waiting for “heavy machinery” to “practically lift” part of the second train, which “has taken the worst part of this accident.”
The identities of the 39 victims have not yet been released, with the Transport Minister stating that the death toll “is not yet final” as the investigation into the crash commences. Of the 112 people who have received medical assistance, 43 remain hospitalized, including four minors and 12 adults in intensive care.
Survivors of the Madrid-bound train have described the moment of impact as feeling like an “earthquake,” with the train’s windows shattering, luggage being displaced, and passengers being thrown to the floor. One passenger, Salvador Jimenez, a journalist, said, “There were people screaming, calling for doctors.”
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the scene, where rescue efforts are still ongoing. The tragedy has left the country in mourning, and authorities are determined to uncover the root cause of this catastrophic event.