Spain Train Crash Horror: At Least 40 Dead After High-Speed Trains Collide in Córdoba
Late on the evening of January 18, 2026, what began as a routine journey for hundreds of passengers turned into one of Spain’s worst rail disasters in recent years. Two high-speed passenger trains collided near the town of Adamuz in Córdoba province, southern Spain, killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds more. The shocking accident has left the country in mourning, sparked urgent demands for answers, and renewed concerns about rail safety across Europe.
The Sequence of Events
The crash happened around 7:40 pm local time on a clear Sunday evening, as two trains were travelling on Spain’s usually reliable high-speed rail network near Adamuz, in the Andalusian countryside. One train, operated by private company Iryo, was heading north from Málaga to Madrid. The other, an Alvia service run by Spain’s national operator Renfe, was travelling south towards Huelva.
Officials said the Iryo train derailed for reasons still under investigation and crossed onto the neighbouring track, where it was hit almost immediately by the oncoming Renfe train. The derailment caused the rear carriages of the Iryo train to leave the tracks, and within seconds, the devastating collision took place.
Both trains were moving at high speeds the Iryo service at around 110 kmph and the Renfe train at about 200 kmph when the impact occurred. The force was so powerful that parts of the Renfe train were thrown down a four-metre embankment, while mangled carriages and debris were scattered across the tracks and nearby land. Rescue teams worked through the night in extremely difficult conditions, searching for survivors and recovering victims from the wreckage.
Human Cost: Lives Lost and Families Shattered
The confirmed death toll has reached at least 40, and officials have warned that the number could rise as identification efforts continue. More than 150 people were reported injured, many of them critically, and hospitals across Andalusia and nearby regions remain overwhelmed. Emergency centres were set up to support families who rushed in from different parts of Spain, desperate for news of loved ones.
The victims came from all walks of life commuters heading home, tourists, and people travelling to meet family or attend work. Scenes outside hospitals in Córdoba and surrounding cities were heartbreaking, with relatives holding photographs, strangers consoling each other, and volunteers stepping in to help.
Survivors described terrifying moments after the crash. Many spoke of a violent jolt as the train derailed, followed by chaos as carriages twisted and lights went out. Some passengers escaped through broken windows, helped by fellow travellers and emergency workers who arrived quickly despite the darkness. One survivor said the experience felt like an “earthquake,” turning an ordinary journey into a nightmare within seconds.
A Nation’s Response: Mourning, Support, and Solidarity
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning in response to the tragedy. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and people across the country gathered at railway stations and public spaces to lay flowers, light candles, and leave messages of condolence.
Sánchez also cancelled his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos and stayed back in Spain to oversee the government’s response. He promised a full and transparent investigation into the crash, saying the public “will learn the truth” about what caused it.
Andalusian regional president Juan Manuel Moreno called it “a very hard day for Andalusia” and praised rescue workers and volunteers who worked tirelessly in tough conditions to help the injured and recover the dead.
The Investigation: Seeking Answers
One of the biggest questions is how such a collision could happen on a stretch of track where it should have been impossible. Early findings suggest a broken rail joint may have caused the initial derailment. Investigators believe a rail joint, known as a fishplate, may have developed a gap that widened under pressure, forcing the train off the tracks. However, officials have stressed that this is only a preliminary theory and the full cause will become clear only after detailed analysis.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the crash as “truly strange,” especially since it happened on a straight, recently renovated section of track the type where derailments are considered rare. Investigators are now examining maintenance records, inspection reports, and the interaction between train wheels and the track.
Spanish authorities have largely ruled out human error so far, shifting focus towards possible infrastructure or equipment failure. The Railway Accident Investigation Committee (CIAF), along with national and regional agencies, is leading the probe. The final report is expected to take weeks or even months.
Spain’s high-speed rail network, one of the largest and most advanced in Europe, has not seen a disaster of this scale since the 2013 Santiago de Compostela derailment that killed 80 people. The 2026 collision has once again raised serious questions about rail safety systems and how track faults are detected and prevented.
Looking Forward: Safety and Memory
In the weeks ahead, Spain will not only search for answers but also begin the difficult process of healing. For survivors and families who lost loved ones, recovery will take time. For the nation, which has long taken pride in its high-speed rail system, the tragedy is a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and how important constant safety checks remain.
Calls are already growing for stricter safety protocols, better monitoring technology for tracks, and renewed investment in rail infrastructure to ensure such a disaster never happens again. The lessons from this crash are likely to shape the future of railway safety in Spain and possibly beyond.
As the country mourns, it also remembers the individuals behind the numbers the parents, children, friends, and strangers whose journeys ended far too soon.
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