A tragic accident in southern Spain left 39 people dead and over 152 injured after a high-speed train collided with another train on Sunday night.
According to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, the incident took place at 7:45 p.m. local time. A train operated by Illo, heading to Madrid’s Atocha, derailed near the Adams No. 1 switch and moved onto the adjacent track, crashing into a Renfe train traveling from Madrid to Huelva.
At the time of reporting, the toll included at least 39 fatalities and 152 injuries. Among the injured, five were in critical condition, another 24 critically injured, while 123 sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Police officers on the scene noted that “mobile phones kept ringing next to the bodies,” cautioning that the victim count could still rise.
The cause of the derailment remains unclear. RTVE also stated that the derailed train had an inspection on January 15, just four days prior to the crash, and was manufactured in 2022. Spain’s Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, referred to the incident as “rare and difficult to explain.”
Mr. Iryo, in a brief statement, expressed deep regret and mentioned that they were activating all emergency protocols while collaborating with authorities to manage the unfolding situation.
Reports indicated that more than 220 members of the Spanish Civil Guard were sent to the crash site. The Central Forensic Science Team is working to identify victims.
Footage taken from one of the affected trains showed the driver giving emergency instructions to passengers. He advised them to stay aboard, as conditions on the adjacent tracks were uncertain. Passengers were cautioned about conserving their phone batteries and flashlights for later use.
Álvaro Fernández Heredia, President of Renfe Railway Company, told Spanish state broadcaster RNE that it was “too early” to determine the accident’s cause and urged patience while avoiding speculation.
He mentioned the unusual nature of the crash, as it occurred on a straight section of track with active safety systems in place. “Based on speed records, the train was traveling slower than the designated speed for that section,” he noted, implying that potential issues with the rolling stock or infrastructure might be involved, although a definitive cause would need to be established by the Railway Accident Investigation Commission.
