A Spain high-speed train collision near Adamuz in Córdoba province has left at least five people dead, with several others injured after one train derailed and struck another traveling on an adjacent track. The crash disrupted rail links between Madrid and Andalusia after the rail infrastructure operator suspended services on the route.
The incident happened at around 19:45 when a high-speed train operating a Málaga-to-Madrid Puerta de Atocha service derailed near Adamuz, left its track, and entered the neighboring line. That derailment led to a collision with another high-speed train traveling in the opposite direction, from Madrid toward Huelva, which was operated by Spain’s state railway company Renfe.
What happened near Adamuz
Authorities were still working to confirm the full number of injured passengers, while Guardia Civil sources said at least five people had died. Video shared by passengers from the scene showed multiple carriages with heavy damage, and some people were reported trapped inside the train cars after the crash.
Officials said the initial derailment involved a train operated by the private high-speed rail company Iryo, before the train moved onto the adjacent track and collided with the oncoming Renfe service. Emergency responders were deployed to the scene and were expected to work through the night alongside authorities, Renfe, and Iryo.
Passengers describe chaotic escape
Some passengers described the impact as feeling like an earthquake, according to testimony cited in the coverage of the crash. Reports from inside the trains said passengers broke windows to get out, and some injuries were linked to cuts during the escape.
Salvador Jiménez, a journalist from Spanish public broadcaster RTVE who said he was traveling on the Málaga-to-Madrid service, described how the last two carriages derailed and that one carriage was “completely overturned.” He also said the train departed Málaga on time at 18:40, and that after the derailment there was a call for medical professionals onboard, windows were broken using hammers, and passengers were evacuated.
Several passengers also reported smoke inside the trains and asked for medical attention for those hurt in the crash. As of the reporting, the exact total of injured people had not been confirmed.
Rail services suspended between Madrid and Andalusia
Spain’s railway infrastructure operator ADIF said it suspended all train services between Madrid and Andalusia “until further notice” following the collision. ADIF also confirmed emergency services were deployed at the location of the derailment and collision.
The crash location near Adamuz sits on a major corridor that connects Madrid with parts of southern Spain, and the suspension left passengers facing widespread disruption while responders worked at the scene. Authorities continued assessing conditions as teams accessed damaged carriages to help those affected and to determine the scale of the incident.
Emergency response and official updates
The Red Cross mobilized one medical ambulance from Córdoba and three ambulances from Jaén, and it said it would send basic necessities for passengers on both trains. Psychosocial care teams were put on pre-alert in case they were needed.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said he was at the ADIF Operations Control Centre monitoring developments and that he would share updates as information was confirmed. Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso said Madrid hospitals and SUMMA 112 teams were ready to help treat the injured and that support teams would be deployed at Atocha to assist relatives.
Investigations began to identify what caused the initial derailment that led to the collision.
