At least 21 people have been killed and many others injured after two trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening, according to Spanish authorities.
Spain's rail infrastructure operator, Adif, said a train travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz before crossing on to an adjacent track and colliding with an oncoming service, which also derailed. "The Madrid to Huelva train, which was travelling on the adjacent track, has also derailed," Adif said in a post on X. The rail body said the accident occurred around 10 minutes after the Iryo-operated train left Málaga for Madrid at 6.40 pm local time. A spokesperson for Andalusia's emergency services said calls were received reporting that people were injured and trapped inside the trains. Spain's interior ministry confirmed that 21 people had died. State broadcaster reports said around 100 people were injured, including 25 seriously.
🇪🇸⚡️ At least 21 people have been ki!!ed in a train derailment in Andalusia, Spain, with emergency services saying more than 100 others are seriously injured.
➡️ The crash happened around 7:40 p.m. local time, when a train carrying 317 passengers from Málaga to Madrid derailed. pic.twitter.com/oqUNHN6bhN— Osint World (@OsiOsint1) January 18, 2026
One witness told public broadcaster RTVE that one of the carriages on the Málaga to Madrid train had completely overturned. Television footage showed emergency medical teams and fire crews working at the scene late into the night.
A journalist travelling on one of the trains told public radio station RNE that the impact felt "like an earthquake". He said passengers used emergency hammers to break carriage windows and escape.
A passenger identified as Carmen wrote on X that she had been travelling on the Málaga to Madrid service. "Ten minutes after departing (from Córdoba) the train started to shake a lot, and it derailed from coach six behind us. The lights went out," she said.
🚨🇪🇸 SPAIN TRAIN CRASH TRAGEDY: DEATH TOLL NOW 7
🔴 BREAKING:
The number of fatalities has climbed to 7 in the horrific derailment between an Iryo train (Málaga–Madrid) and an AVE in Adamuz, Córdoba province.
The Iryo derailed at the entry switches to Adamuz station, crossed… pic.twitter.com/kwWCJbhkpT— Shane (@shaneintheworld) January 18, 2026
Footage posted by another passenger showed an Iryo staff member instructing passengers to remain seated in darkened carriages and asking those with first-aid training to assist others. The staff member said passengers would be evacuated when it was safe to do so, adding that remaining on board was the safest option at that time.
The passenger said there was smoke in the carriage and that calls were being made for a doctor. Spanish media reported that around 400 people were travelling on the two trains.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was "closely monitoring" the situation. The president of the Madrid region, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, said hospitals in Madrid were available to assist Andalusia if needed.
Iryo, a privately operated rail company run by Italian interests, has not yet commented. Adif said all rail services between Madrid and Andalusia had been suspended.
