At least 21 killed as high-speed train derails and collides near Córdoba

People reports that at least 21 people died and dozens were injured after a high-speed train derailed and collided with an oncoming train between Malaga and Madrid near Córdoba at around 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, Jan. 18, Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente said.

More than 300 passengers were on the derailed Iryo train and about 200 were on the Renfe train traveling from Madrid to Huelva, ADIF confirmed. Andalusian Regional Government Health Minister Antonio Sanz said at least 73 people were injured. Puente said after midnight on Monday, Jan. 19, that rescuers had removed all survivors but that more victims could still be identified. He described the crash as a "truly strange" incident, noting the tracks had been renovated in May 2025 and that the Iryo train was less than four years old.

Puente said the back part of the first train derailed and struck the front of the other, knocking its first two cars off the track and down a 13-foot slope, with the front section of the Renfe train taking the brunt of the damage; he wrote on X, "The impact has been terrible. The number of victims cannot be confirmed at this time. The fundamental priority now is to assist the victims." Iryo said it "deeply lamented what has happened," activated emergency protocols and was working with authorities, and Puente warned an investigation into the cause could take about a month.

Key Topics

World, Córdoba, Iryo, Renfe, Adif, Oscar Puente