Two high-speed trains collide near Adamuz, Córdoba, in deadly crash
On 18 January 2026 an Iryo train derailed near Adamuz and hit an oncoming Alvia, in one of Spain's deadliest rail accidents in years.
This summary was written by AI to complete the context; it is not based on a current source.
On the evening of 18 January 2026, two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz, a town in Córdoba province in Andalusia. Reports said an Iryo service travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and struck an Alvia train heading from Madrid to Huelva. The crash happened at about 19:45 local time on a straight stretch of line.
The death toll rose over the following days, with reports of dozens of dead and more than a hundred injured. Figures varied between sources, so they should be treated with caution. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the site, and relatives gave DNA samples to help identify victims.
High-speed services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended and only reopened in February 2026. The accident prompted an investigation into safety on Spain's modern rail network and shook public confidence in the AVE, the country's high-speed brand. Many travellers turned to planes and other transport, which helped explain the later growth in air shuttle services between major cities.
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