Authorities have confirmed that 21 people have died with many more injured as it is anticipated that the death toll with continue to rise following the tragic collision
A high-speed train in Spain has derailed, resulting in at least 21 casualties. The train came off the tracks in southern Spain on Sunday, January 18 and jumped onto the opposite track before colliding with an oncoming train.
At least 21 people have been confirmed dead with over 100 injured. Officials have indicated that the death toll is likely to rise with Andalusian president Moreno Bonilla commenting that: “Heavy machinery needs to be used to see if there are any bodies and how many.”
The train was heading to Madrid from Malaga and went off the rails near Cordoba according to rail operator Adif. The train it collided with was heading from the capital to Huelva.
It is believed that there were around 500 passengers on the two vehicles. Reportedly one of the passenger carriages rolled down a 13 foot slope in the incident.
Officials have said that 75 people have been rushed to hospital, with 15 of them in critical condition. Bonilla added that first responders raced to free passengers from little more than a “twisted wreck” as chief firefighter of Cordoba, Francisco Carmona, described one of the trains as ‘badly mangled’.
Condolences have already began to flood in from Spanish politicians and royalty. The prime minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the ‘tragic railway accident’ on X.
Sánchez said: “Tonight is a night of deep pain for our country due to the tragic railway accident in Adamuz. I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
“No words can alleviate such immense suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country stands with them in this extremely difficult moment. All emergency services are working in a coordinated manner without rest.”
The Spanish Royal Family have also offered their condolences. A statement posted on the official X account for the family said: “We are following with great concern the serious accident between two high-speed trains in Adamuz. We extend our deepest condolences to the family members and loved ones of the deceased, as well as our affection and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.”
High-speed trains have been suspended between Madrid and Córdoba, Sevilla, Málaga, Granada and Huelva on Monday, January 19.
