The night of Sunday, January 18th to Monday, January 19th, 2026 will be remembered for one of the worst rail disasters in recent Spanish history. A collision between two high-speed trains (AVE) claimed numerous victims near Adamuz, north of Malaga.

The (provisional) human toll

Spanish authorities, under the direction of the Civil Guard, report a heavy toll that is still likely to change:

1. Deaths: At least 21 confirmed deaths.
2. Injuries: Approximately 73 people have been injured, including 30 who are currently hospitalized in serious condition .
3. Evacuation: The Minister of Transport confirmed that all the injured were removed from the accident site at 2:34 a.m.

The circumstances of the tragedy

The accident occurred Sunday evening on the Madrid-Andalusia route.

1. An Iryo train, carrying more than 300 passengers from Malaga to Madrid, had its last carriages derail.
2. These wagons collided with a Renfe train (with more than 100 passengers on board) which was coming from the opposite direction on the adjacent track.
3. The force of the impact threw the first two carriages of the Renfe train off the tracks.

Testimonies from a "horror film"

Passengers described a scene of absolute chaos. Lucas Meriako, aboard the Iryo train, said he felt as if the train was going to "fall apart" on impact. Other passengers had to use emergency hammers to break windows and escape the wrecked carriages, describing the jolt as similar to an earthquake.

Official reactions and consequences

Pedro Sánchez (Spanish Prime Minister): "A night of profound sorrow. The entire nation stands with the families."

1. International support: Emmanuel Macron expressed France's solidarity in the face of this tragedy striking Andalusia.
2. The Royal Family: Expressed its "great concern" over the seriousness of the accident.
3. Rail traffic: The operator Adif has announced the total suspension of high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and the south of the country (Seville, Malaga, Cordoba, Huelva) for Monday, January 19.