Historic First: Adamuz Train Derailment Marks Spain's First High-Speed Rail Accident in Over Three Decades
Spain's first high-speed train accident in over 34 years occurred in Adamuz, Córdoba, resulting in 10 deaths and numerous injuries, marking a major milestone in the nation's rail safety history.
- • The derailment in Adamuz is Spain's first high-speed rail accident after 34 years of safe operation.
- • Ten people died and about 100 were injured in the collision between an Iryo train and an AVE train.
- • The accident happened on a historically significant track used since 1992 for Spain's high-speed rail.
- • It differs from the 2013 Angrois disaster, as the Adamuz trains were designed for higher speeds and cause remains under investigation.
Key details
On Sunday afternoon, a train derailment in Adamuz, Córdoba, has become Spain's first accident in the history of its high-speed rail (Alta Velocidad) network after more than 34 years of operation. The incident involved a long-distance Iryo train traveling from Málaga to Madrid that derailed and collided with another AVE train traveling from Madrid to Huelva.
The collision resulted in ten confirmed fatalities, including the Iryo train's driver, and approximately one hundred injured passengers, 25 of whom are in critical condition. The last three carriages of the Iryo train suffered the most damage, with one carriage overturning. Train services between Madrid and Andalucía were promptly suspended to manage the emergency response and evacuation procedures.
This derailment occurred on a historically significant section of track used by Spain's high-speed rail since the inauguration of the AVE line between Madrid and Seville in April 1992, coinciding with the Expo that year. The route had undergone a comprehensive modernization in recent years as part of infrastructure upgrades connecting Andalusian capitals with Madrid, led by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
The gravity of this accident inevitably draws parallels with the 2013 Angrois disaster in Galicia, the country’s deadliest train crash with 80 deaths. However, key differences exist: the Angrois crash involved an ALVIA train that derailed due to excessive speed at 191 km/h in a restricted 80 km/h zone, while the Adamuz derailment involved trains designed for speeds up to 300 km/h. Authorities, including emergency services and representatives from Renfe, Adif, and Iryo, remain actively engaged in managing the situation and investigating the cause.
Passengers trapped inside the carriages reported conditions via social media, including smoke and requests for urgent medical help. The extensive emergency response illustrates the challenging nature of handling such a tragedy in a high-speed rail system long regarded as exceptionally safe. The Adamuz derailment marks a somber milestone in Spain’s rail history and will prompt a thorough review of rail safety measures across the high-speed network.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
