At least 39 people were killed and 170 injured after two high-speed trains collided near Córdoba in southern Spain on January 18, 2026, marking one of Europe’s deadliest rail accidents in recent years. The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time when a Malaga-Madrid service derailed near Amaduz, striking a second train traveling from Madrid to Huelva on an adjacent track.
Spanish authorities confirmed both trains were operating on high-speed lines, with the derailed Malaga-Madrid train carrying 317 passengers. Emergency crews worked overnight to rescue survivors, while hospitals in Córdoba and Seville remain on high alert. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the initial derailment, though infrastructure inspections and data analysis from onboard systems are underway.
The collision has reignited debates about rail safety protocols in Europe, with transportation officials across the continent pledging to review operational procedures. Spain’s transport minister is expected to visit the site later today as recovery efforts continue.
