Two high-speed trains derailed near the southern Spanish town of Adamuz on Sunday (January 18th), killing at least five people, Spanish state broadcaster RTVE reported, citing police sources. An unknown number of passengers were injured.
According to Adif, the state operator of the rail network, the accident happened around 18:40 (1740 GMT), about ten minutes after train Iryo 6189 left Malaga on its way to Madrid. The train derailed from its track and collided with an oncoming train from Madrid to Huelva, which also left the tracks.
“Train Iryo 6189 Málaga – Madrid derailed from the track in Adamuz and hit the adjacent track. The train from Madrid to Huelva traveling on the adjacent track also derailed,” Adif said in a post on the social network.
Emergency response
All rail connections between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended. The Andalusian rescue services announced that ambulances and emergency vehicles were sent to the scene. A spokesman confirmed receiving several reports of injured and trapped passengers.
Italian private rail operator Iryo has not yet commented on the incident.
Authorities are continuing rescue operations and investigating the cause of the derailment.