Relatives of victims arrive seeking information about the derailment at Huelva train station in Huelva, Spain, on Sunday. At least 21 people were killed and dozens more were injured after the derailment of two high-speed trains in the municipality of Adamuz in Cordoba. Photo by Alberto Diaz/EPA
Two high-speed trains collided and then derailed Sunday evening in southern Spain, killing at least 21 people and injuring dozens more, according to officials.
The private Iryo train traveling from Malaga to Madrid with about 300 people on board derailed at about 7:45 p.m. local time in Cordoba province’s Adamuz town, jumping onto adjacent tracks and causing a second train, operated by Renfe and traveling from Madrid to Huelva, to derail as well, Spain’s nationally owned Renfe Operadora said in a statement.
Oscar Puente, the minister of Transport, said the final cars of the Iryo train were those that derailed and collided with the Renfe train traveling in the opposite direction, causing its two front cars to jump the tracks. Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian regional minister for Health, the Presidency and Emergencies, later added that part of the trains fell down a 13-foot embankment.
Some passengers were trapped in the cars.
“The impact was devastating,” Puente said in a statement.
At least 21 people were killed, according to a statement from the Andalucia emergency agency. It said at least 73 people were hospitalized, 23 of whom were in serious condition, including four minors.
“It is a catastrophe. We are heartbroken,” he said on X.
“Rescue efforts continue, and we wish for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Sanz initiated an emergency phase operation Sunday night, according to a provincial government statement. Four Critical Emergency Care Units, six mobile ICUs, two critical patient transport ICUs, two logistcal support vehicles, three conventional ambulances and additional resources were deployed to the scene, he said.
“At this moment, all focus is on on-site medical care,” he said.
All high-speed services between Madrid and Cordba, Sevilla, Malaga, Granada and Huelva have been suspended through Monday, with services between Madrid, Cadiz, Algeciras and Granada also affected, Spain’s state-owned railway infrastructure manager Adif said in a statement.
“Tonight is a night of deep pain for our country due to the tragic railway accident in Adamuz,” President Pedro Sanchez of Spain said in a statement.
“I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. No words can alleviate such immense suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country stands with them in this extremely difficult moment.”
pic.twitter.com/lF70SLO8H8— AUGC Guardia Civil (@AUGC_Comunica) January 18, 2026
