Spain Train Crash: Death Toll at 39 as Andalusia Mourns Deadliest Rail Disaster in Years

Spain is facing a national tragedy after a high speed train collision in the Andalusia region killed at least 39 people and injured more than 150 others.

The crash occurred at 7:45 pm local time on Sunday near Adamuz in Cordoba province, when the rear of a Malaga to Madrid train veered onto an adjacent track and slammed into an oncoming Madrid to Huelva service. Both trains derailed, leaving twisted carriages scattered along the line.

Rescue workers from the Spanish Civil Guard and fire services worked through the freezing night, pulling survivors from crushed compartments. Dozens of passengers were taken to hospitals across Cordoba, with at least 24 in serious condition, including four children.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the death toll is not definitive and could rise. He described the derailment as “truly strange” because it occurred on a straight stretch of track that had been renovated last year. The train involved was built in 2022 and inspected just days before the crash, according to operator Iryo.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying Spain was in “deep pain.” He offered condolences to families and thanked rescue teams for their efforts under extreme conditions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed solidarity with the victims.

Survivors described terrifying scenes inside the carriages. One passenger said the train jolted violently before plunging into darkness. Luggage flew through the air, children cried, and injured crew members lay bleeding on the floor. Another survivor said the wreckage looked like “a horror movie.”

More than 130 train services between Madrid and Andalusian cities including Seville, Malaga, Cordoba and Huelva were cancelled. Rail operator Renfe and infrastructure manager Adif have offered free refunds and set up emergency hotlines for families.

About Andalusia

The tragedy has shaken Andalusia, Spain’s most populous autonomous community, home to more than 8.6 million people. Located in southern Spain, Andalusia includes eight provinces: Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga and Seville, which serves as the regional capital.

Andalusia is one of Europe’s cultural heartlands, famous for flamenco, historic Islamic architecture, and cities such as Seville, Cordoba and Granada. It also holds deep historical significance as the center of Al Andalus during the Islamic Golden Age, when Cordoba was one of the world’s leading centers of learning.

The region is crossed by key rail routes linking southern Spain to Madrid and the rest of Europe, making Sunday’s crash especially devastating for local communities and national transport confidence.

Spain operates the largest high speed rail network in Europe, with more than 3,100 kilometers of track. Despite its reputation for safety, this disaster has reopened painful memories of past rail tragedies and raised urgent questions about infrastructure, monitoring systems and emergency response readiness.

Investigators say a full inquiry could take up to a month. Until then, Spain continues to grieve, as families wait for answers and a nation reflects on a night that forever changed hundreds of lives.