At least 21 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain, with officials warning the death toll could increase overnight. More than 30 people are being treated in hospital for serious injuries, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said.
The crash occurred near the town of Adamuz, close to Cordoba, when a train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto another track before hitting an oncoming service heading from Madrid to Huelva. Andalusian emergency services said at least 73 people were injured overall.
Puente described the incident as highly unusual, noting that the derailment happened on a straight section of track that had been refurbished last May. The cause has not been confirmed and investigators are not expected to reach conclusions for at least a month.
Officials react
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain faced a «night of deep pain». About 300 passengers were on the Malaga to Madrid train operated by Iryo, while the Renfe service carried around 100 passengers.
Adamuz mayor Rafael Moreno, among the first at the scene, said the aftermath was like a nightmare. Emergency crews said twisted wreckage made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Fire chief Francisco Carmona told RTVE that bodies sometimes had to be removed to reach survivors.
All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the crash and remained closed on Monday, with stations kept open overnight for stranded passengers.
The train involved was a Freccia 1000 model capable of speeds up to 400 km/h. The Red Cross deployed emergency teams and provided counselling to families, while survivors described the impact as feeling like an earthquake.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia expressed their condolences, joined by messages of support from European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Kursiv also reports that last November a train hit a group of railway workers at Luoyang Town station in Kunming, southwestern China, on Thursday, killing 11 and injuring two.
