Survivors and witnesses described chaotic rescue scenes after an Iryo high-speed train derailed near Adamuz on Jan. 18 and collided with a Renfe Alvia service. Officials confirmed at least 39 dead, 29 seriously injured and 123 with minor injuries, while recovery teams use heavy machinery to lift wreckage and search for additional victims. Authorities have not determined a definitive cause; investigations into the track, equipment and operations are ongoing, and Spain has declared three days of national mourning.
At Least 39 Dead After High-Speed Train Collision Near Adamuz: Survivors Describe Terrifying Rescue Scenes
Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press via GettyFirst responders at the scene in Adamuz, Spain, following a deadly train crash on Jan. 18.
Survivors described chaotic, harrowing scenes after a Madrid-bound Iryo high-speed train derailed near Adamuz in southern Spain and collided with an opposing Renfe Alvia service on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 18. Officials confirmed at least 39 deaths, dozens of serious injuries and ongoing recovery operations as authorities work to determine the cause.
Survivor Accounts
In an emotional interview with Reuters, an unnamed female passenger said she was pulled from a derailed carriage "covered in blood" after witnessing other travelers die. “Some people were fine and others were really bad,” she said. “You could see them dying and you could do nothing.” Video from the scene shows her wrapped in a blanket and limping as she is led to safety.
Handout / Guardia Civil / AFP via GettyVideo footage of the crash site.
“It was like an earthquake,”
Spanish journalist Salvador Jiménez, who was in one of the derailed cars, described the impact as similar to an earthquake. He and other witnesses reported lights failing, passengers smashing windows with emergency hammers to escape, and rear coaches turned on their sides with people pulling trapped passengers through upward-facing windows.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
According to officials and preliminary reports from the transportation ministry, the Iryo train’s last two coaches derailed while approaching Adamuz station at about 7:45 p.m. local time and crossed into the path of the oncoming Renfe Alvia service. The collision sent the two front carriages of the Renfe train down an approximately 13-foot embankment.
JORGE GUERRERO / AFP via GettyThe aftermath of the fatal collision that killed at least 39 in Spain.
Authorities reported at least 39 fatalities, including one train employee, with 29 people seriously injured and 123 suffering minor injuries. Rescue teams, forensic personnel and heavy machinery were working through the wreckage to recover victims, identify the deceased and clear the site.
Official Response and Investigation
Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusian regional government, warned the death toll could rise after cranes lift the most damaged carriages and crews complete a detailed assessment of the wreckage. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced three days of national mourning.
Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press via GettyEmergency teams at a sports center in Adamuz, Spain following the deadly train crash.
Investigators have not released a conclusive cause for the collision. Officials noted the track had been recently upgraded in May 2025, and the Iryo train—manufactured in 2022—had reportedly passed inspection on Jan. 15, 2025, according to local media. Transport authorities and other agencies are expected to conduct a full inquiry into technical, operational and safety factors.
Eyewitness Details and Next Steps
Witnesses speaking to international outlets including Reuters, The New York Times and the BBC described desperate rescue efforts, passengers and belongings hurled by the force of impact, and people calling out names as they tried to locate and free loved ones. Heavy cranes were being mobilized to lift carriages so recovery and identification work could continue.
Officials urged patience as investigators and emergency teams complete recovery operations and piece together the timeline and causes of the disaster. International and Spanish media continue to report updates as authorities release new information.
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