A tragic train collision in Spain on January 19, 2026, has resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people and left over 122 injured. The incident occurred near Adamuz at approximately 19:45 local time when the tail end of a high-speed train traveling from Málaga 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 front of the second train bore the brunt of the impact, leading to a catastrophic outcome.
Following the collision, the lead carriages of the second train plunged down a 4-meter slope, exacerbating the tragedy. Some victims’ bodies were discovered hundreds of meters from the crash site, illustrating the severity of the disaster. The train was carrying approximately 200 passengers at the time of the collision.
In the aftermath, Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente provided updates, noting, “The death toll has already reached 39 and is not final.” He expressed gratitude for the efforts of rescue teams who worked throughout the night under challenging conditions.
A witness, a young woman named Ana, recounted her harrowing experience, stating, “The train tipped to one side… then everything went dark, and all I heard [were] screams.” Ana was traveling back to Madrid with her sister when the incident occurred. She described how other passengers helped her escape while firefighters rescued her sister, and both were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The collision marks the deadliest train accident in Spain since a 2013 derailment in Santiago de Compostela, which resulted in 80 fatalities. In response to this latest tragedy, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced three days of national mourning to honor the victims and their families.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services reported that 48 people remain hospitalized, with 12 in intensive care. The recovery efforts faced significant challenges as authorities worked to manage the aftermath of the collision.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident. Reports indicate that ADIF had previously been warned about “severe wear and tear” on the high-speed rail tracks in 2025, raising questions about safety protocols and maintenance practices.
As the nation mourns, the focus now turns to understanding how such a devastating incident could occur and what measures will be implemented to prevent future tragedies on Spain’s railways.
