Tragic High-Speed Train Collision in Spain Claims 39 Lives

Mon Jan 19 2026 21:45:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A catastrophic train crash in southern Spain has resulted in at least 39 deaths, marking the country's most deadly rail accident in over a decade. The incident involved two trains colliding after one derailed, leading to extensive injuries and chaos.

On January 19, 2026, two trains collided in Adamuz, southern Spain, resulting in 39 fatalities and dozens of injuries. The Madrid-bound train derailed onto opposing tracks, crashing into an oncoming train. Emergency responders are actively managing the aftermath as the investigation into the tragic event begins, and condolences pour in from global leaders.

At least 39 people have died in a train collision in southern Spain, which has become the country's worst rail crash in over a decade, according to Spain's Civil Guard.

The disaster occurred when carriages from a Madrid-bound train derailed, crossing onto opposing tracks and colliding with an oncoming train in Adamuz on the evening of January 19.

Four hundred passengers and crew were on board both trains. Emergency services reported that they treated 122 individuals, with 43 remaining hospitalized, including four children, 12 adults of whom are in intensive care.

The Spanish Transport Minister has indicated that the death toll may still rise as an investigation is underway. He described the incident as extremely strange, adding that experts are baffled by the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The collision, which struck at approximately 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT), happened shortly after the train departed Málaga for Madrid, derailing on a straight section of track near Córdoba.

Rescue operations faced challenges due to the wreckage, complicating efforts to recover trapped persons.

Survivors have described the moment of collision as feeling like an earthquake, and reports indicate that many fatalities and injuries occurred in the front carriages of the southbound train coming from Madrid to Huelva.

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, noted that the nation is facing a night of deep pain, and condolences have been offered by various international leaders.

The incident follows an earlier high-speed derailment in Galicia in 2013, which resulted in 80 deaths. Spain's high-speed rail network is one of the largest globally, extending over 4,000 kilometers and connecting over 50 cities.