At least 21 people have been killed and 75 others injured after a devastating Spain train collision involving two high-speed trains near Córdoba on Friday evening. The crash occurred when one train derailed and slammed into an oncoming service, triggering one of the deadliest rail accidents in recent years, the Spain train collision.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the rear section of an evening train travelling from Malaga to Madrid with around 300 passengers derailed at about 7:45 pm local time. The train then collided with another high-speed service coming from Madrid to Huelva carrying nearly 200 passengers, leading to the Spain train collision.
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed that the death toll stood at 21 after midnight. He said rescue teams had removed all survivors from the wreckage but added that more victims could still be confirmed. Andalusia regional president Juanma Moreno said 75 passengers were admitted to hospitals, with 15 suffering serious injuries following the Spain train collision.
“We have a very difficult night ahead,” Andalusia’s regional health chief Antonio Sanz told the media as emergency services continued rescue operations at the crash site.
‘A Very Strange Incident,’ Say Officials
The cause of the Spain train collision remains unknown, and authorities have described the circumstances as highly unusual. Puente said the accident occurred on a stretch of track that was renovated as recently as May, raising questions over rail safety. He also noted that the derailed train was less than four years old and operated by private rail company Iryo.
The second train involved in the Spain train collision belonged to Spain’s public rail operator Renfe. Puente said the front section of this train absorbed the worst of the impact, leaving several coaches badly damaged.
Passengers onboard described moments of panic. Salvador Jiménez, a journalist with Spanish broadcaster RTVE who was travelling on one of the trains, said the derailment felt like an earthquake. He added that passengers quickly used emergency hammers to break windows and escape the derailed carriages after the Spain train collision.
FAQs
Q: What caused the Spain train collision near Córdoba?
A: The exact cause is still under investigation, with officials calling the Spain train collision unusual due to recent track renovations.
Q: How many people died in the Spain train collision?
A: At least 21 people have been confirmed dead, though authorities say the number could rise.
Q: Which trains were involved in the Spain train collision?
A: One train was operated by private company Iryo, while the second belonged to public operator Renfe.
Q: How did passengers escape after the crash?
A: Survivors broke windows using emergency hammers and evacuated damaged coaches after the Spain train collision.
