The Spanish government pledged on Monday to conduct a full investigation into the causes of a high-speed train collision that killed at least 39 people, as officials cautioned the death toll could increase.
The incident near Adamuz in Andalucia is Spain’s deadliest rail disaster since 2013, when a train derailment killed 80 people outside Santiago de Compostela.
The crash occurred late Sunday when a high-speed train operated by Iryo, traveling from Malaga to Madrid, derailed. It then crossed onto the adjacent track and collided with an oncoming train, which also derailed.
“This is a day of sorrow for all of Spain,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated during a visit to the site, declaring three days of national mourning. “We will uncover the answer, and once the cause of this tragedy is determined, we will present it with absolute transparency.”
The Interior Ministry confirmed 39 fatalities. According to regional emergency services, over 120 people were injured, with 43 remaining hospitalized, including 12 in intensive care.
Rescue crews are using heavy machinery to access the most damaged carriages. “Unfortunately, it is quite possible that additional victims will be found beneath the twisted wreckage,” said Juan Manuel Moreno, head of the Andalusian regional government.
‘Extremely Strange’ Circumstances
Officials noted that, unlike the 2013 disaster, this derailment happened on a straight section of track while the trains were operating within the speed limit.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente called the accident “extremely strange,” highlighting that the Iryo train was “practically new” and the track had been recently renovated.
Iryo confirmed its locomotive was built in 2022 and last inspected three days prior to the accident, stating it “veered onto the adjacent track for still unknown reasons.” The Iryo train was carrying approximately 300 passengers. The second train, operated by Renfe, had 184 passengers on board.
Renfe president Alvaro Fernandez Heredia told Spanish radio that human error has “been practically ruled out,” suggesting the cause “must be related to Iryo’s rolling stock or an infrastructure issue.” The trains were reportedly traveling at 205 km/h and 210 km/h on a track with a 250 km/h speed limit.
A survivor, Lucas Meriako, described the scene to La Sexta television as “like a horror movie.”
“We felt a very strong hit from behind and the feeling that the whole train was about to collapse,” he said.
International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have offered their condolences.
