ADAMUZ, SPAIN — A high-speed train collision in southern Spain has left at least 39 people dead after two passenger trains derailed and struck each other near the town of Adamuz. Officials said recovery operations were still underway Monday and warned additional victims may be found as crews reach damaged carriages.
The current death toll stands at 39 as of 7:12 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, January 19, 2026. However, authorities have warned that the number of fatalities may rise as search and recovery efforts continue.
Collision Reported Sunday Evening
The crash happened at about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday when the tail end of a train carrying 289 passengers on a route from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto another track, rail operator Adif reported. The derailed train then collided with an oncoming train traveling from Madrid to Huelva.
Spain’s transport minister said the head of the second train, carrying nearly 200 passengers, absorbed much of the impact. The collision knocked its first two carriages off the track and down a slope.
Rescue and Recovery Operations Continue
Authorities reported that survivors were rescued in the early hours of Monday, while crews continued working to recover and identify victims. Regional officials said some bodies were found hundreds of meters from the crash site and that search teams were also combing nearby areas.
Officials reported more than 120 people were injured. Authorities later put the figure at 159 injured, including 11 adults and one child listed in critical condition.
Investigation Underway
Transport officials reported the cause of the derailment remains under investigation. The transport minister described the incident as unusual because it occurred on a flat stretch of track that was renovated in May.
Officials said the derailed train belonged to private operator Iryo, while the other train involved was part of Spain’s public operator Renfe. Iryo reported its train was manufactured in 2022 and had passed a safety check on January 15.
Renfe’s president said both trains were traveling under the high-speed line’s 250 kph limit, reporting speeds of 205 kph and 210 kph.
Support Centers Opened
Authorities opened an assistance office in Cordoba for families of those who may be missing, including DNA collection to help with identification. A sports center in Adamuz was used as a makeshift hospital, and the Spanish Red Cross set up a support center for responders and relatives seeking information.
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