At least 21 people have been killed and dozens more injured following a collision between two high-speed trains in southern Spain on Sunday evening, officials say.
The incident happened near the town of Adamuz, close to the city of Cordoba, when a high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crashed onto a neighbouring track, rail network operator Adif said.
A second train travelling in the opposite direction, from Madrid to Huelva, also derailed.
Andalusian emergency services said at least 25 people were seriously injured, with others suffering minor injuries.
According to Adif, the crash happened about ten minutes after the train left Malaga at 18:40 local time (17:40 GMT). All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident.
Iryo, a private rail company that operated the journey from Malaga, confirmed the derailment and said around 300 passengers were on board.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia said they were following news of the disaster with “with great concern”.
“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the dead, as well as our love and wishes for a swift recovery to the injured,” the royal palace said on X.
Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with RTVE who was on one of the trains, said some people were able to walk away without serious injuries.
“I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed. They called immediately to see if there were people in the health service who could help, they took hammers to break the windows and in the end they evacuated us,” he added.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the government was working with emergency services to help those affected, while Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno expressed his concern and support for the victims and their families.
