Spain train crash: A horrific high-speed train crash has occurred in Spain, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 150. This is Spain’s deadliest rail accident in over a decade.
The high-speed train crash that occurred near Adamuz, in the Córdoba province of Spain, on Sunday evening (January 18, 2026) has been devastating. At least 39 people have been killed, and more than 150 injured (many critically and in intensive care). This is Spain’s deadliest rail accident since the 2013 Santiago de Compostela crash (80 deaths).
⚠️ Important
Pictures from the high speed train crash site, in Spain, are coming this morning showing the derailed train in the daylight for the first time — 39 killed https://t.co/F6STslCgYe pic.twitter.com/8CKTqq6n5F
— Open News© (@OpenNewNews) January 19, 2026
Details of the incident
When and where: Sunday evening (January 18, 2026) at approximately 7:45 PM local time, near Adamuz in the Córdoba province.
An Iryo (private company) high-speed train was traveling from Malaga to Madrid (approximately 300-317 passengers).
Its rear section derailed and came to rest on the adjacent track.
It was then struck by an oncoming Renfe Alvia train (traveling from Madrid to Huelva), causing both trains to derail. The first two carriages of the Alvia train were the most severely affected, falling down a 13-foot (4-meter) embankment.
I think we’re now able to build a pretty clear picture of the most likely mechanism of the train crash at Adamuz in Spain. pic.twitter.com/XuOD7UkFQv
— Gareth Dennis (@GarethDennis) January 19, 2026
Dead and injured
The death toll stands at 39 (officially confirmed by the Civil Guard and Transport Minister Óscar Puente), but rescue operations are ongoing, and the number may rise. 152 injured, including many seriously (12 in intensive care, 9 critical). Some bodies were found hundreds of meters from the site, as passengers were thrown from the train.
The Transport Minister described it as “truly strange” as the track had been renovated in May 2025 for €700 million, and the Iryo train was less than 4 years old (last inspected on January 15, 2026). Human error has been “practically ruled out.” An investigation has been launched by the CIAF, which could take up to a month. Some unions had previously warned about the increasing cement and deterioration on the tracks.
Madrid-Andalusia high-speed service affected. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez canceled his trip to Davos and called it a “night of profound pain.” Three days of national mourning have been declared. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are also returning soon.
This is a major blow to Spain’s high-speed electric rail network (the largest in Europe, 3,622 km), which is generally considered very safe. It is the deadliest accident since the 2013 Santiago de Compostela derailment (80 fatalities).
(With agency input)