Spain High-Speed Train Crash Kills 40

January 19, 2026

Spain: High-Speed Train Collision Kills 40

A picture taken on January 19, 2026 shows a view of one of the two trains that derailed the day before, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 120, in Adamuz, southern Spain. At least 39 people died and more than 120 injured in the deadliest train accident in Spain in over a decade. The crash happened on January 18, 2026 evening when a train operated by rail company Iryo travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz, crossing onto the other track where it crashed into an oncoming train, which also derailed. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

At least 40 people have died after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain, officials said on Monday.

The crash happened late Sunday when a high-speed train run by Iryo, travelling from Malaga to Madrid, left the tracks near the town of Adamuz in Andalusia. The train moved onto the opposite line and struck another train coming from the opposite direction, forcing both trains off the tracks.

Juan Manuel Moreno, head of the Andalusia regional government, said 40 deaths had been confirmed. He said it will take 24-48 hours to know with certainty how many deaths have resulted from this terrible accident. According to him, more than 120 people were hurt, and 41 are still in hospitals in the neighbouring city of Cordoba.

Rescue workers continued operations on Monday, using heavy equipment to clear wreckage and reach damaged carriages.

Families searching for missing relatives shared information and photos online.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the crash site and declared three days of national mourning

“This is a day of sorrow for all of Spain, for our entire country.” He said.

He added that the government would “uncover the answer, and once the cause of this tragedy is determined, we will present it with absolute transparency.”

Spain High-Speed Train Crash Kills 40. AFP

Officials said the trains were travelling below the speed limit and that the crash occurred on a straight section of track.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the derailed train was almost new and the railway line had been recently upgraded, making the accident “extremely strange”.

Iryo said its train was built in 2022 and had been checked just days before the accident.

About 300 passengers were on board. The second train, operated by Renfe, was carrying 184 passengers.

According to Alvaro Fernandez Heredia, president of Renfe, human error has “been practically ruled out,” he told Spanish public radio RNE. He also ruled out speeding as a cause of the accident.

According to him, both trains were moving at just over 200 km/h, which is below the 250 km/h speed limit for that stretch of track.