Please note we will be updating this breaking news report.
At least 21 people have been killed and many others seriously injured after two trains collided near the Andalusian city of Córdoba on Sunday evening.
At 23.50h Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE and the EFE news agency said the death toll had risen to 21, citing Guardia Civil sources.
Antonio Sanz, regional health minister for the Andalusia province where the crash happened, said officials told him they fear the death toll may rise above 21.
Rescue operations are ongoing, he said, adding that 73 injured passengers have been taken to six different hospitals.
An Iryo train carrying 317 passengers and travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz, crossing onto the other track where it hit an oncoming Alvia (Renfe) train, which also derailed, Spain’s ADIF rail authority posted on X.
According to Spanish media, one of the fatalities was the driver of the Alvia train, which had around 100 passengers on board.
The accident took place at around 7.45pm when the Iryo train entered Adamuz station, where the back carriage derailed and overturned on the adjacent track, colliding with the Alvia train travelling in the opposite direction, from Madrid to Huelva, which also derailed.
According to witnesses, the Iryo train appeared to be shaking and vibrating just prior to the collision.
The last two carriages of the Iryo train, which left Malaga at 6.40pm, were most affected, particularly the one at the end of the train, which overturned on the track.
Emergency services were at the scene with five mobile ICUs, a logistical support vehicle and four emergency critical care units (ECU). A field hospital has been set up at the scene, in Adamuz station.
Óscar Puente, Spain’s Transport Minister, posted on X: ‘The impact was terrible, causing the first two cars of the Renfe train to be thrown off the tracks.’
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was ‘closely monitoring’ the emergency and confirmed that the central government is working with all the competent authorities and emergency services to help the passengers.
Sánchez had been due to meet on Monday with the leader of the opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, but due to the gravity of events, they have cancelled their meeting.
All trains between Madrid and the southern region of Andalusia have been cancelled for Monday, affecting thousands of passengers.
Renfe has set up the phone number 900 10 10 20 to assist passengers’ families and gather any information.
Iryo has set up the number 900 001 402 for those affected.
ACTUALIZACIÓN | La cifra de fallecidos asciende a 21, según fuentes de la investigación de la Guardia Civil.
Las labores de rescate estarían siendo muy complicadas.
🔸https://t.co/beOCIo7dx2
🔸https://t.co/LGn7unFu4w pic.twitter.com/VVDRXnVNsk— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) January 18, 2026
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