Tragedy in Southern Spain: Two High-Speed Trains Derail Near Córdoba; 5 Reported Dead
By Lions Roar News World Desk
ADAMUZ, SPAIN (Monday, January 19, 2026) — A catastrophic rail accident has struck southern Spain, with at least five people reported dead and dozens injured following the derailment of two high-speed trains near the town of Adamuz, close to Córdoba.
The incident occurred late Sunday evening (local time), sending shockwaves through Spain’s high-speed rail network and leading to a total suspension of services between Madrid and the Andalusia region.
🚂 Collision and Derailment: What Happened?
The accident involved a high-speed train operated by the Italian private firm Iryo and a second train heading towards Huelva.
- The First Impact: According to Adif, the rail network operator, the Iryo 6189 (traveling from Málaga to Madrid) derailed approximately 10 minutes after departure.
- The Chain Reaction: After leaving the track at 6:40 PM, the Iryo train crashed onto the adjacent track.
- The Second Derailment: A train traveling in the opposite direction (from Madrid to Huelva) was unable to stop in time and derailed upon impact with the wreckage on the tracks.
State-run television channel RTVE, citing Civil Guard and police sources, confirmed that at least five individuals have lost their lives.
🚑 Emergency Response & On-Scene Accounts
Andalusia emergency services have mobilized a massive rescue operation. At least nine ambulances and multiple emergency support vehicles are currently at the crash site.
Salvador Jimenez, an RTVE journalist who was a passenger on the Córdoba-to-Madrid service, described a scene of chaos and survival. Images shared from the site show a rear carriage lying on its side in the dark, with dazed survivors huddled together on the exterior of the overturned car awaiting rescue.
🚫 Major Travel Disruptions
Adif has officially suspended all rail services between Madrid and the entire Andalusia region until further notice.
- Affected Routes: Madrid to Málaga, Seville, Córdoba, and Huelva are currently offline.
- Investigation: Authorities are working to determine if the initial derailment was caused by a mechanical failure, track obstruction, or an external factor.
Iryo, the Italian-run private operator involved in the crash, has not yet issued a formal statement as they coordinate with Spanish authorities.
