At least 24 killed, nearly 250 injured after trains collide in Spain

At least 24 people have been killed and nearly 250 others were injured after two trains operating on a high-speed rail line collided in southern Spain, according to officials. The death toll is expected to rise.

The accident occurred Sunday at about 7:45 p.m. local time in the municipality of Adamuz, in the province of Córdoba, when an LD AV Iryo train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed near track switches and entered an adjacent line, colliding with an LD AV Alvia train operated by Renfe that was traveling from Madrid to Huelva, authorities said.

Regional officials said at least 24 people were killed in the crash. Authorities said that the death toll could rise significantly as rescue and recovery operations continue at the site.

Juanma Moreno, the president of Andalusia’s regional government, said 170 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and 75 were hospitalized, including 15 in serious condition.

Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, said the Iryo train involved in the crash was relatively new, about four years old, and that the section of track where the derailment occurred had been recently renovated. “It is a strange accident, on a straight section of track,” he said.

In a statement, Iryo said the derailment involved service 6189, which departed Málaga at 6:40 p.m. local time and was carrying approximately 300 passengers at the time of the incident. Officials said 184 passengers were aboard the Renfe train.

The Renfe train sustained the most severe impact in the collision, with several cars of the train plunging down an embankment of about 13 feet (4 meters). Authorities said access to the area where the cars came to rest was extremely difficult, complicating rescue and recovery operations.

“Tonight is one of deep pain for our country due to the tragic railway accident in Adamuz,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a statement. “I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. No words can ease such great suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country stands with them at this very difficult moment.”

The cause of the derailment has not been determined, and authorities said an investigation is underway.

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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief

Ella Greene

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