On the evening of January 18, a serious tragedy involving two high-speed trains occurred in the southern province of Córdoba, Spain. Near the town of Adamus, a passenger train from the Iryo company, traveling from Malaga to Madrid, collided with an Alvia train from Renfe, traveling from Madrid to Uelva. The journey, which at first glance seemed like an ordinary flight, turned into a catastrophe that instantly shook the country.
How did the collision occur?
According to El Pais, at approximately 7:45 PM local time, the last three cars of the Iryo train derailed and blocked a parallel track. At the same time, the Alvia train was approaching from the opposite direction.
Unfortunately, the Alvia driver didn't have enough time for emergency braking. As a result, the first two cars of the train fell from a railway embankment approximately four meters high. It is said that the heaviest blow of the tragedy occurred here.
Latest information on casualties and victims
According to the latest official data, 39 people died as a result of the accident. Another 152 people received injuries of varying severity, five of whom are in critical condition. Spanish Transport Minister Oskar Puente also warned of a possible increase in casualties.
It is reported that there were about 480 passengers on the trains. According to the minister, 53 people were in the cars that fell from the embankment.
"People were asking for help..." - terrible moments told by the passengers
Eyewitnesses of the tragedy say that there was a strong tremor during the incident, after which people in the carriage bumped from side to side until the train stopped. One of the passengers stated that upon disembarking from the train, he saw the first carriage almost completely destroyed.
Another passenger on the Alvia train says: after getting out of the third car, they saw the first and second cars fall into a ravine. Before the arrival of rescue services, the passengers themselves tried to evacuate as many people as possible.
One of the passengers of the Iryo train does not hide the most serious side of the accident: the injuries were very serious, and some died right before their eyes - and at that moment they felt that the man's hand was short.
Why is this a "very strange" situation? Review started
The causes of the accident are not yet clear. An independent commission has been formed to conduct the investigation. Minister Puente called the tragedy "very strange," as the collision occurred in May 2025 on an upgraded railway section.
It is also noted that the derailed train "Irya" was put into operation in 2022 and was inspected four days before the incident. In addition, it is said that this section is equipped with a security system designed to minimize the consequences of human error.
Renfe management stated that although both trains traveled at a speed of 200 km/h, the speed did not exceed the established norm.
Movement stopped, field hospital opened in Adamus
High-speed train service between Madrid and Andalusia has been suspended for at least four days. Passengers are being directed to the buses. The gym in Adamus has been temporarily converted into a field hospital, and emergency services, doctors, and volunteers are working tirelessly at the scene.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has canceled his participation in the Davos Economic Forum. He is expected to go to Adamus with the King and Queen of Spain. In Parliament, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of the tragedy.
The worst railway tragedy since 2013
This accident in Andalusia is noted as the most serious railway accident for Spain since 2013. At that time, near the Santiago de Compostela station in Galicia, the Alvia train derailed, killing more than 70 people and injuring more than 100.
This tragedy has once again raised questions about railway safety, control systems, and emergency preparedness not only in Spain but throughout Europe. Now the main thing is to openly and objectively identify the causes, ensure accountability if there are any perpetrators, and draw systematic conclusions so that such a day does not happen again.
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