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New Delhi: Spain has been plunged into a state of national mourning following a horrific collision between two high-speed trains in the southern region of Andalusia. The disaster, which unfolded late Sunday evening, has claimed at least 21 lives and left more than 70 people injured, as rescuers battle "twisted metal" to reach survivors trapped in the wreckage.
A 'night of deep pain'
The catastrophe occurred near Adamuz on a stretch of track connecting Malaga and Madrid. According to the rail operator Adif, a service travelling toward the capital derailed for reasons yet unknown, veering onto the opposite track and slamming into an oncoming train. The impact was so violent that both trains derailed, with several carriages plunging four meters down a steep embankment, news agency AFP reported.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, reflecting the sombre mood of the country, described the event as a "night of deep pain," stating on X (formerly Twitter), "No words can alleviate such great suffering, but I want them to know that the whole country is by their side."
The frantic rescue effort
The scene on the ground was described as a labyrinth of carnage. Francisco Carmona, head of the Cordoba firefighters, detailed the harrowing task facing emergency teams. "The carriages are twisted... we have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive," he told RTVE.
Military units have been mobilised, with 40 members of the military emergencies unit and 15 specialised vehicles joining the effort. Of the 73 reported injured, Transport Minister Oscar Puente confirmed that 30 remain in serious condition.
Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s top emergency official, warned that the death toll is "likely to increase" as teams navigate the wreckage of the Iryo service, which was carrying roughly 300 passengers.
An 'extremely strange' mechanical mystery
Investigators are now grappling with how such a disaster occurred on what was considered a premier section of Spain’s infrastructure. Minister Puente noted that the collision took place on a perfectly straight, recently renovated section of track. Furthermore, the train that initially derailed was "practically new," leading officials to label the accident "extremely strange."
National and global reaction
The Spanish Royal Palace confirmed that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are following the situation with "great concern." Support has also poured in from abroad, with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offering their condolences to the families of the victims.
Infrastructure paralyzed
Spain, which prides itself on having Europe's largest high-speed rail network spanning over 3,000 kilometres, has seen its southern corridor grind to a halt. High-speed services between Madrid and the cities of Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, and Huelva have been suspended through at least Monday.
The victim's families have gathered at assistance centres set up in stations across the country. The fresh incident has brought back the fear of the 2013 Santiago de Compostela tragedy, which killed 80 people. This latest disaster stands as Spain’s deadliest rail accident in over a decade.
