A high-speed train has derailed and smashed into another oncoming train in southern Spain, killing at least 21 people.
The evening train between Malaga and Madrid went off the rails and slammed into a service from Madrid to Huelva, authorities said.
State broadcaster Television Espanola said 100 people had been injured, 25 seriously. Authorities fear the death toll may rise.
Antonio Sanz, regional health minister in Andalucia province said rescue operations are ongoing.
What happened?
Adif, which runs the rail network, said the accident happened at 6:40 p.m. (1740 GMT), about 10 minutes after the Iryo train left Cordoba heading towards Madrid.
“The Iryo 6189 Malaga – (to Madrid) train has derailed from the track at Adamuz, crashing onto the adjacent track. The (Madrid) to Huelva train which was travelling on the adjacent track has also derailed,” Adif said in a social media post.
Iryo is a private rail operator, majority-owned by Italian state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato. The train involved was a Freccia 1000 train a spokesperson for Ferrovie dello Stato said, according to Reuters.
The company said in a statement that it deeply regretted what had happened and had activated all emergency protocols to work closely with the relevant authorities to manage the situation.
The second train was operated by Renfe.
How many people were on board?
The Iryo train had more than 300 passengers on board, while the Renfe train had around 100, according to reports.
The first train heading to Madrid from Malaga had been evacuated, Paco Carmona, Cordoba fire chief, told local TV.
The other train’s carriages were badly damaged, he said, with twisted metal and seats.
The operation to rescue people from the trains is proving to be complicated (Photo by -UGC / @eleanorinthesky (via X) / AFP via Getty Images)‘Complicated’ rescue operation
The regional Civil Protection chief, Maria Belen Moya Rojas, told Canal Sur that the accident happened in an area that is hard to reach.
Local people were taking blankets and water to the scene to help the victims, she said.
Cordoba fire chief Paco Carmona said it was proving to be a “complicated task”.
“There are still people trapped,” he told TVE.
“We don’t know how many people have died and the operation is concentrating on getting people out of areas which are very narrow,” he said.
“We have to remove the bodies to reach anyone who is still alive. It is proving to be a complicated task.”
The mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Moreno, told El Pais newspaper the “scene is horrific”.
“I don’t think they were on the same track, but it’s not clear. Now the mayors and residents of the area are focused on helping the passengers.”
What has the reaction been?
The Spanish royal family has said it is following the incident “with great concern”.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family members and loved ones of the deceased, as well as our affection and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” the family said in a post on X.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X that she was following “the terrible news” from Cordoba.
Your next read
square US POLITICS AnalysisTrump’s presidency is in trouble as Republicans deem him ‘foolish and wrong’
square WORLD InterviewI was an ICE agent – Trump’s immigration policy is totally crazy
square SPAIN TRAVELWhy this picturesque Spanish town is forever British
square UNITED NATIONS AnalysisTrump’s outrageous new Board of Peace plan is all about self-enrichment
“Tonight you are in my thoughts,” she wrote in Spanish.
Adif said train services between Madrid and cities in Andalucia will not run on Monday.
With agencies
Hence then, the article about what we know so far as at least 21 killed in spain high speed rail crash was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What we know so far as at least 21 killed in Spain high speed rail crash )
Also on site :