A catastrophic rail accident in southern Spain has claimed the lives of at least 24 people and left approximately 245 injured. The disaster occurred on Sunday evening near the town of Adamuz, marking one of the deadliest rail incidents in recent Spanish history.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Sequence of Events
The tragedy unfolded in a rapid, two-stage collision on the high-speed line connecting Madrid to the south:
- Initial Derailment: At approximately 7:40 PM, an Iryo high-speed train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed. Several rear carriages were thrown onto the path of the oncoming tracks.
- The Impact: Moments later, a Renfe Alvia train heading from Madrid toward Huelva struck the derailed wreckage. The collision was so violent that the Renfe locomotive and its leading cars were forced off the tracks and down a 4-meter embankment.
- The Scene: Survivors described a massive “earthquake-like” jolt followed by total darkness and screams. Emergency responders arrived to find the wreckage scattered across a rural stretch of track.
Casualty Summary
| Category | Current Status |
| Confirmed Deaths | 24 (including one driver) |
| Injured | ~245 individuals |
| Critical Condition | 15–30 passengers |
The Investigation: “Extremely Strange”
- Technical Focus: Investigators are examining a specific railroad switch and the automated braking systems to determine why the Iryo train jumped the tracks initially.
- Infrastructure: Transport Minister Oscar Puente noted that while the section was newly refurbished, a technical failure or an undetected obstruction is currently being prioritized over human error.
Current Travel Disruptions
The high-speed rail corridor between Madrid and Andalusia (serving Seville, Málaga, and Córdoba) is completely suspended. Repairs and recovery are expected to take several days. Travelers are being urged to check with Renfe or Iryo for bus replacement services or ticket refunds.
