A disaster involving two high-speed trains occurred in Spain: at least 39 people were killed.
On the evening of 18 January, a major train crash occurred near the town of Adamuz in the province of Cordoba in southern Spain. One of the high-speed trains derailed and collided with an oncoming train. As of the morning of 19 January, at least 39 people were confirmed dead, according to Spanish emergency services and police, El Pais newspaper reports.
According to official data, 43 victims are in hospitals, 12 of whom are in intensive care. Nine of them are in serious condition. In total, more than 100 people suffered injuries of varying degrees. Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said that the final death toll could rise.
The accident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. local time. A high-speed train operated by the private company Iryo, travelling from Malaga to Madrid, derailed on a straight section of track and collided with a Renfe Alvia train travelling from Madrid to Huelva at a speed of about 200 kilometres per hour. As a result of the impact, the second train also derailed and rolled down an embankment.
There were nearly 500 passengers on both trains. According to Spanish media reports, the driver of one of the trains was among the dead. The rescue operation lasted all night. People were still trapped in the wrecked carriages, which complicated the work of the rescuers.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived at the scene of the tragedy and declared three days of national mourning. He promised a full and transparent investigation into the causes of the accident. The Andalusian authorities said that the process of identifying the victims would be difficult and lengthy, and DNA collection centres were opened in several cities across the country for relatives.
Source and photo: El Pais.
Spain, Madrid, Sánchez
