Spain’s high-speed rail operator, iryo, provided a significant update following a recent incident where two high-speed trains derailed. The incident occurred when a high-speed train traveling from Malaga to Madrid, carrying approximately 300 passengers, derailed near the village of Adamuz in Cordoba. Subsequently, it collided with another train heading from Madrid to Huelva, which had around 200 passengers on board.
The accident took place at 7:45 pm (1845 GMT), shortly after the Malaga to Madrid train departed from Cordoba. The second train involved in the collision belonged to Spain’s public train company Renfe. Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night as numerous individuals remained trapped in the aftermath of the collision. As a result, all high-speed train services between Madrid and Andalusia have been halted until Tuesday.
In the early hours of Monday, iryo, the operator of the derailed train, updated the public on the evacuation efforts. A spokesperson stated that all passengers on service 6189 had been successfully evacuated, with injured individuals receiving medical treatment at hospitals. Remaining passengers were relocated under the guidance of local authorities.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, with Spain’s transport minister describing it as a peculiar occurrence on a recently renovated track. The rescue operation has proven to be challenging, particularly due to difficult access to some of the carriages. Specialized teams from neighboring regions, including firefighters, paramedics, and forensic scientists, have been dispatched to aid in the rescue efforts.
As of now, reports indicate at least 24 fatalities, with 15 individuals in critical condition, 30 with serious injuries, and 170 sustaining minor injuries. The exact number of missing persons has yet to be confirmed. For the latest updates on this tragic event, readers can follow the live blog provided through the link above.