Two trains derail in southern Spain, killing 39, leaving dozens injured

by · UPI

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Two high-speed trains collided and then derailed Sunday evening in southern Spain, killing at least 39 people and injuring dozens more, according to officials.

The private Iryo train traveling from Malaga to Madrid with about 300 people on board derailed at about 7:45 p.m. local time in Cordoba province's Adamuz town, jumping onto adjacent tracks and causing a second train, operated by Renfe and traveling from Madrid to Huelva, to derail as well, Spain's nationally owned Renfe Operadora said in a statement.

Oscar Puente, the minister of Transport, said the final cars of the Iryo train were those that derailed and collided with the Renfe train traveling in the opposite direction, causing its two front cars to jump the tracks. Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian regional minister for Health, the Presidency and Emergencies, later added that part of the trains fell down a 13-foot embankment.

Some passengers were trapped in the cars, but Iryo later announced that all passengers of its carriages had been evacuated.

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"The impact was devastating," Puente said in a statement.

The death toll rose to 39 on Monday, up from 21 announced Sunday night, Spain's civil guard said in a statement.

Puente added that the count was not final.

"I want to express my gratitude for the huge effort of the rescue teams during the night, under very difficult circumstances, and my condolences to the victims and their families in these terribly painful moments," he said on X.

The Andalucia emergency agency had earlier said at least 73 people were hospitalized, 23 of whom were in serious condition.

Early Monday, it said 48 people remained hospitalized, including five minors. Eleven adults and one minor are in intensive care.

A total 122 patients from the crash have been assisted, it said.

"It is a catastrophe. We are heartbroken," Juan Moreno, president of Andalucia, said on X.

"Rescue efforts continue, and we wish for the swift recovery of the injured."

The cause of the initial derailment was unknown.

Alvaro Fernandez Heredia, president of Renfe, told RNE Audio that the derailment occurred at a straight stretch of rail. The trains were moving at a slower speed than assigned for that section, he said, adding that systems are in place to prevent speeding.

He suggested that the derailment might be related "to some issue with the rolling stock or with the infrastructure."

Sanz initiated an emergency phase operation Sunday night, according to a provincial government statement. Four Critical Emergency Care Units, six mobile ICUs, two critical patient transport ICUs, two logistical support vehicles, three conventional ambulances and additional resources were deployed to the scene, he said.

"At this moment, all focus is on on-site medical care," he said.

All high-speed services between Madrid and Cordba, Sevilla, Malaga, Granada and Huelva have been suspended through Monday, with services between Madrid, Cadiz, Algeciras and Granada also affected, Spain's state-owned railway infrastructure manager Adif said in a statement.

"Tonight is a night of deep pain for our country due to the tragic railway accident in Adamuz," President Pedro Sanchez of Spain said in a statement.

"I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. No words can alleviate such immense suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country stands with them in this extremely difficult moment."