Madrid (Web Desk): At least 39 people were killed and dozens others suffered serious injuries after a catastrophic collision between two high-speed trains near Cordoba in southern Spain on Sunday.
Authorities also reported that around a hundred passengers experienced minor injuries in the aftermath.
The tragedy unfolded around 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT) when a train traveling from Malaga to Madrid, carrying 317 passengers, unexpectedly derailed near Amaduz, about 20 kilometers from Cordoba. The exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
The derailed train then crashed into another high-speed train running from Madrid to Huelva on an adjacent track, causing the second train to leave the rails as well.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente described the scene as a “terrible impact,” noting that the last two carriages of the Malaga-Madrid train collided with the first two carriages of the oncoming train, forcing them off the tracks.
Emergency teams from Andalusia were immediately dispatched to the site, while local residents assisted in moving passengers with minor injuries to a nearby sports center where they received first aid.
Spain’s Military Emergency Unit also joined rescue efforts, helping to evacuate and treat the injured. Authorities confirmed that rail operations along the affected line would be suspended at least until Tuesday.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took to social media to say he and his government were closely monitoring the situation. Spain’s Royal Family offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
Rescue efforts were still ongoing late Sunday, with officials warning that casualty numbers could rise as operations continue.
Rail operator Adif opened information centers at Atocha Station in Madrid, as well as in Malaga and Huelva, to assist relatives of passengers, along with a dedicated hotline for inquiries.
Spain’s previous deadliest train disaster occurred in July 2013, when 79 people were killed after a high-speed train derailed while entering Santiago de Compostela due to excessive speed.