A high-speed train collision in Spain on January 19, 2026, has resulted in at least 39 fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident occurred around 19:45 local time near Adamuz, when the tail end of a train carrying 289 passengers from Malaga to Madrid derailed and collided with an incoming train from Madrid to Huelva. The Spanish rail operator, Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), confirmed that the lead carriages of the second train, which had approximately 200 passengers, absorbed the majority of the impact.
The force of the collision caused several carriages of the second train to plummet down a slope of four meters, leading to extensive destruction. Recovery efforts were complicated, with some victims found hundreds of meters from the crash site. Emergency services reported that 122 individuals sustained injuries, with 48 still hospitalized and 12 in intensive care.
Witness accounts describe harrowing scenes of chaos following the crash. A young woman, identified as Ana, recounted her experience, stating, “Everything went dark… I heard screams.” She was traveling with her sister, who was rescued by firefighters after Ana herself was pulled from the wreckage by other passengers. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
This tragic event marks the highest death toll from a train crash in Spain since 2013, when a derailment in Santiago de Compostela resulted in 80 deaths. In a statement shared on his verified X account, Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente indicated that the current death toll may not be final. He expressed gratitude for the rescue teams working under challenging circumstances and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
In response to the tragedy, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a three-day period of national mourning for the victims. He emphasized the nation’s solidarity with those affected by this devastating incident.
Concerns regarding the safety of Spain’s high-speed rail system have been raised previously. According to The Independent, ADIF was alerted to “severe wear and tear” on the high-speed rail tracks in 2025, raising questions about the maintenance and oversight of critical infrastructure.
As the investigation continues, Spain grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic event, mourning the loss of lives while seeking answers and solutions to prevent future tragedies on its railways.
