Two trains collided in Spain: 39 people died
On the evening of January 18, a severe railway disaster occurred in the province of Cordova, Spain. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
Near the town of Adamus, a passenger train belonging to the Iryo company traveling from Malaga to Madrid collided with Renfe's Alvia train heading from Madrid to Huelva. Although this incident initially seemed like a routine journey, it turned into a catastrophe that shook the country.
According to the El Pais publication, at 19:45 local time, the last three carriages of the Iryo train derailed and blocked the parallel track. At that moment, the Alvia train was approaching from the opposite direction.
The Alvia train driver was unable to apply emergency brakes in time, and the first two carriages of the train fell off the railway overpass. The greatest damage was observed at this location.
Official data states that 39 people died in this disaster and 152 were injured, five of whom are in critical condition. There were nearly 480 passengers on the trains in total.
It was recorded that 53 people were in the carriage that fell from the overpass. Spain's Minister of Transport, Oscar Puente, warned that the death toll might increase.
Eyewitnesses reported strong shaking inside the train and people colliding with each other inside the carriages. Some passengers tried to assist the injured before rescuers arrived.
Some passengers witnessed people who had died at the scene. An investigation into the causes of the incident has begun.
The Iryo train was recently put into service in 2022 and had undergone a technical inspection four days before the incident. It is said that this railway section was equipped with a modernized safety system in 2025.
High-speed train services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended for four days. A temporary field hospital was set up in Adamus.
Emergency services, medical staff, and volunteers are working continuously at the scene. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez canceled his participation in the Davos forum and is expected to visit Adamus.
This disaster is recorded as the largest railway tragedy in Spain since 2013. At that time, an Alvia train derailed in Galicia, killing more than 70 people.
This recent incident has brought the issue of railway safety and emergency preparedness back onto the agenda in Europe. The most important task is to determine the causes of the disaster and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
