spain Train Disaster: Death Toll Mounts as Investigation Begins
A preliminary death toll of 39 has been reported following a devastating train derailment on Friday evening near Adamuz, in the Spanish province of Córdoba. emergency services are working tirelessly at the scene, with the number of casualties expected to rise as recovery efforts continue.The collision, which occurred at 7:39 PM local time, involved two trains traveling on the high-speed line connecting Madrid and Andalusia.
The tragedy unfolded near the town of Adamuz, with the most significant impact felt by passengers aboard the Iryo train, traveling from Malaga to Madrid. Sources within the company indicate at least 21 fatalities and 22 injuries on that train alone, and have established a dedicated helpline for concerned family members at 900001402. Renfe, the state-owned railway operator, has also activated a toll-free number (900101020) to provide information regarding passengers on the Alvia train. the incident involved the Iryo train, carrying 317 passengers, and a long-distance Alvia (Renfe) train traveling in the opposite direction towards Huelva with over 200 people on board.
According to Juanma Moreno, President of the Andalusia region, the bodies of the victims were discovered “hundreds of meters away” from the wreckage, ejected from the train cars due to the “incredibly violent” impact. Rescue workers also reported finding the train driver “dozens of meters from the cabin.” Moreno warned that the discovery of additional victims is likely once heavy machinery is deployed to lift the derailed carriages, stating, “From the twisted mass of iron, you can understand the violence of the impact.”
The situation is dire, with at least two or three carriages having plunged down a five-meter embankment, posing significant access challenges for emergency responders. Antonio Sanz,Andalusia’s Health Minister,confirmed that firefighters had reached the third carriage,where an undetermined number of victims were found. “The situation is very serious,” he stated.
What Happened?
Two trains derailed near the station of adamuz, close to Córdoba, prompting the immediate suspension of rail traffic between Madrid and andalusia. Initial investigations suggest the accident occurred at 7:39 PM when an Iryo train en route from Malaga to Madrid Puerta de Atocha derailed on the approach to track 1 at the Adamuz station. The train subsequently veered onto the parallel track,colliding head-on with an Alvia high-speed train traveling from Madrid to Huelva.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente announced via X (formerly Twitter) that “The impact was terrible,causing the derailment of the first two carriages of the Renfe alvia train.” The last carriage of the Alvia train overturned, and emergency services are working to extract dozens of injured passengers from the wreckage. “We are prioritizing live people, working in the carriages searching for survivors under a pile of seats, metal, and luggage,” said the head of the Adamuz fire department.
A harrowing account came from Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with Radio Nacional de Espana, who was traveling on the train departing from Malaga. “We left Malaga at 6:40 PM on time.At 7:45 PM there was an impact, it felt like an earthquake that shook all the carriages. I was in the first one,” he recounted.Emergency hammers were promptly used to break windows and evacuate passengers. “I saw a passenger torn to pieces. We arrived first on the scene along with the municipal police and I saw at least one corpse sectioned in multiple parts and a body cut in two,” testified Mayor Rafael Moreno to El País.
Possible Causes Under Investigation
Investigators are currently focusing on a potential cause involving a faulty rail joint. the theory suggests that a joint had broken before the incident, creating a gap between two sections of track that widened as the trains passed. It is believed the initial carriages passed over the widening gap, but the eighth carriage ultimately derailed, pulling the sixth and seventh carriages with it.
The italian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that, at present, no Italian citizens are known to be among the victims, but identification efforts are ongoing. The Italian Consul General in Madrid is on-site to provide assistance.Those seeking emergency assistance or information can contact the Consulate at +34629842287 or the Farnesina’s Unit for the Protection of Italians Abroad at +39 0636225.
A video circulating online appears to show the aftermath of the disaster, with speculation focusing on the potential role of the compromised rail joint.
According to the Spanish news agency ANSA, Spain boasts a 4,000 km high-speed rail network with high safety standards. However, the country experienced its most severe rail disaster in 2013 in Santiago de Compostela.
survivors described a scene of chaos and despair, with one individual stating, “We were alone in the dark surrounded by dead people.” A mother recounted her daughter’s frantic call at 7:45 PM, reporting the derailment and a lack of interaction from rail authorities. “They closed the office and ran away and left us here without news.It seemed like madness to me,” she told Tve.
Transport Minister Puente described the incident as “unexplainable” on a relatively new line. He clarified that the Alvia train suffered the most significant damage, with its first two carriages plummeting into a five-meter embankment. “It is indeed possible that the number of victims is higher than confirmed,but I do not want to speculate,” he said,adding that all injured individuals have been evacuated from the disaster area,which has been cordoned off for the identification of remains.
Puente emphasized the recent renewal of the rail line, with €700 million invested and track changes completed in may, according to Adif, the state railway infrastructure manager. He announced the formation of a “fully autonomous” commission of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident and prevent future occurrences. He cautioned that the high-speed line will likely remain disrupted for at least tomorrow,and potentially for a month,due to the extensive cleanup and investigation required.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims” in a post on X, stating, “No words can alleviate such great suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country accompanies them in these arduous moments.” King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also conveyed their “deepest condolences” to the families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Italian Prime Minister giorgia Meloni echoed the sentiment,stating,”Italy is close to the pain of Spain for this tragedy.”
