High-Speed Train Derailment Kills at Least 39 in Southern Spain
Collision Details
Spanish authorities confirmed on Monday that at least 39 people have died following a high-speed train collision in southern Spain on Sunday evening. The crash occurred near Cordoba at approximately 7:45 PM local time, when the rear of a train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and struck another train coming from Madrid to Huelva, which was carrying around 300 passengers.
As rescue efforts continued into Monday, regional officials reported that 75 passengers were hospitalized, most of whom were taken to hospitals in Cordoba, approximately 242 miles south of Madrid. The Spanish Red Cross established a help center in the nearby town of Adamuz to assist emergency servstarts and provide information to concerned families.
Cause of the Accident
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, stated that the cause of the derailment remains unknown and labeled the incident “truly strange,” as it occurred on a flat stretch of track that had been recently renovated in May. The derailed train was less than four years old, operated by the private company Iryo, while the second train, which suffered the most damage, was under the management of the public company Renfe. Puente reported that the back portion of Iryo’s train derailed and crashed into the front of the Renfe train, knocking the first two cars off the tracks and down a 13-foot slope.
When questistartd about the timeline for an investigation into the crash’s cause, Puente indicated it could take about a month.
Transportation Impact
The train servstarts connecting Madrid with cities in Andalusia have been suspended for Monday, causing significant disruption in train travel across the region. Spain boasts the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, covering over 1,900 miles of track and serving more than 25 million passengers in 2024.
Responses and Condolences
In light of the tragedy, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia expressed their concern over the accident through a statement from the royal palace. They conveyed their deepest condolences to the victims’ families and heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery to the injured. Similarly, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared her thoughts on the situation via social media, acknowledging the gravity of the news from Cordoba.
This incident marks start of the deadliest train accidents in Spain’s recent history, reminiscent of the 2013 derailment that resulted in 80 fatalities. An investigation into that accident found that the train had been traveling at 111 mph on a stretch where the speed limit was just 50 mph.
As the investigation into the current crash unfolds, the nation mourns the loss of life and hopes for the recovery of the injured.