High-speed trains crash in Spain, 21 confirmed dead

A high-speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train in southern Spain on Sunday, pushing the second train off the tracks and down an embankment in a collision that killed at least 21 people, said Spain’s interior ministry.

The accident occurred near Adamuz, about 360 km south of Madrid, when an Iryo train derailed and crashed onto an adjacent track, where it was struck by a high-speed Renfe service heading to Huelva. According to officials, the crash happened around 7:45 p.m., only minutes after the Iryo train left Cordoba for Madrid. The impact caused both trains to derail, sending one of the Renfe carriages down a steep embankment. Authorities confirmed that at least 20 people have died, while 75 passengers have been hospitalised, including 15 in critical condition. The driver of the Madrid-to-Huelva train is also among the dead.

Emergency crews described the scene as extremely chaotic, with twisted metal, broken seats and debris scattered across the tracks. Fire chief Paco Carmona said several passengers remain trapped in narrow, crushed sections of the Renfe train, making the rescue effort slow and dangerous. Teams are using heavy machinery to cut through the wreckage, and officials warned the death toll may rise.

Survivors recounted terrifying moments of impact, with bags falling, people screaming and passengers breaking windows with emergency hammers to escape. The Iryo train had more than 300 passengers on board, while the Renfe train carried around 100. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cleared his Monday schedule to oversee the response, while local authorities set up emergency reception centres in Adamuz. Residents provided blankets, food and support as nighttime temperatures dropped.