Spain Train Crash: At Least 21 Dead in Andalucía Derailment and Collision
A tragic train accident in southern Spain has left at least 21 people dead. The crash occurred late Sunday evening when a high-speed train derailed and collided with another train.
The regional emergency agency in Andalucía confirmed the death toll. Regional government president Juanma Moreno warned that the number of victims is expected to rise.
Details of the Crash
The derailment happened around 7:45 pm local time in Adamuz, located in the southern province of Córdoba. Transport minister Óscar Puente described the crash as "extremely strange" because it occurred on a straight section of track.
Puente explained how the collision unfolded. The rear carriages of the first train derailed and crossed onto the opposite track. There, they struck another passing train. This impact caused the front two carriages of the second service to also leave the rails.
The first train was traveling from Málaga to Madrid and was privately operated. The second train, run by Spain's national rail company, was bound for the southern city of Huelva, west of Seville.
Rescue Operations and Survivor Accounts
Hundreds of survivors were rescued amid darkness at the scene. Emergency crews worked through the night to reach victims.
Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with Spanish broadcaster RTVE who was traveling on one of the trains, described the terrifying moment. "There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed," he said, as cited by AP.
Jimenez reported that passengers broke windows using emergency hammers. Some managed to escape without serious injuries.
Footage from the scene showed people climbing out through windows as they fled the wreckage. Carriages were tilted at sharp angles, creating a chaotic scene.
Emergency Response and Coordination
The Andalucía regional government set up an advanced medical post at the site to treat the injured. The national rail operator and railway company assisted relatives of victims at stations in Madrid, Seville, Córdoba, Málaga and Huelva.
Paco Carmona, head of Córdoba's fire brigade, is coordinating the rescue operation. He told public television that emergency crews are prioritizing efforts to reach victims still trapped in the two carriages most severely damaged in the crash.
The rescue teams face challenging conditions as they work to free those trapped in the wreckage.
Transport Disruptions and Investigation
Spain's state-owned rail infrastructure agency announced that rail traffic between Madrid and key southern Andalusian cities will be suspended on Monday. This affects routes to Córdoba, Seville, Málaga and Huelva.
The cause of the derailment remains unclear. Authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the train to leave the tracks on a straight section.
According to the International Union of Railways, Spain has the world's second-longest high-speed rail network, behind only China. This incident raises questions about safety on this extensive network.
The crash has shocked the nation and drawn international attention. As rescue operations continue, families await news of their loved ones while authorities work to determine what went wrong on that fateful Sunday evening.
