High speed trains derail in Spain killing at least 21 and injuring 100+

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/two-high-speed-trains-derail-spain-police-said-2026-01-18/

32 Comments

  1. According to Google, Spain’s high speed trains travel at speeds up to 193 mph (310 km/h). I had no idea they were moving that fast, like holy crap, that had to be a brutal accident.

  2. CreativeMuseMan on

    Cream of the article (not AI):

    >A high-speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train in southern Spain on Sunday, pushing the second train off the tracks and down an embankment in a collision that police sources confirmed to Reuters had killed at least 21 people with 100 injured out of which 25 are seriously injured.

    >The cause for the crash is not yet known. The accident happened near Adamuz, in Cordoba province, about 360km (223 miles) south of the capital Madrid. One train was going from Malaga to Madrid, another from Madrid to Huelva

    >The accident happened at 6:40 p.m. (1740 GMT), about 10 minutes after the Iryo train left Cordoba heading towards Madrid.

    >The Iryo 6189 Malaga – (to Madrid) train has derailed from the track at Adamuz, crashing onto the adjacent track. Iryo is a private rail operator, majority-owned by Italian state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato.  The second train, an Alvia, was operated by Renfe, which El Pais reported was travelling at around 200 km (124 miles) per hour at the moment of impact.

    >Troops have also been deployed from a military base near the crash site to support rescue and recovery efforts, the Military Emergency Service confirmed.

    >The Iryo train had more than 300 passengers on board, while the Renfe train had around 100.

  3. I have no experience with High Speed rail, what safety measures do the trains have? Like do you have to be seated? Seatbelts? Air bags in the cars? Anything?

  4. This accident is horrific, but for an American perspective, there is a motor vehicle fatality every few minutes on American highways, so it’s important to keep in mind that high speed rail is relatively safer by comparison. The same discussion comes up with passenger aircraft crashes- statistically driving around town in your own vehicle is much riskier.

  5. From the linked article:

    The cause for the crash is not yet known, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente told reporters at a press conference at Atocha station in Madrid, adding it was “really strange” that a derailment should have happened on a straight stretch of track. This section of track was renewed in May, he added.

  6. They were about to start work on the trains here soon to make them faster as well, with plans to be the second fastest train in the world after Japan. Odd timing.

    Rest in peace, can’t imagine the heinous ness of the accident

  7. I_am_The_Teapot on

    That only 21 died (so far) from such a horrific crash is amazing. Jesus… I mean it’s awful, but still could have been so much worse.

  8. IEnjoyRandomThoughts on

    I’ve been on these trains and they’re surprisingly super smooth and generally very safe. Europe train services are galaxies ahead of US/ Canada

  9. Reasonable-Cell5189 on

    I’ve ridden the high speed rail from Milan, I definitely couldn’t imagine the terror of being in that crash at that speed.

  10. Omg… Iv been on the TOV in France. I thought I was flying! To hit anything at that speed, must be just horrifying 😔

  11. How fast was it traveling when the crash occurred?Best wishes from the states.

    There is so much nonsense in these comments…

  12. Strict-Ad-7954 on

    Rest in peace to all who lost their lives and my heart goes out to their families, what a horrible tragedy.

  13. dantemaycry5867 on

    I’m so sorry Spain, this is horrible.

    To those affected I hope you mend soon and get well soon.

    RIP to the people who did not survive farewell you all were taken all too soon, condolences to the families and friends.

    Love you Spain;

    Lamento mucho tu perdida. – I’m so sorry for your loss.

  14. MiddleClassNawab on

    People are saying ‘high speed caused it’, but the real issue is why the train derailed in the first place. Reports say it jumped track and entered the opposite line, leading to the collision. The cause is still being investigated. RIP to the victims 💔 Hope accountability comes after the facts are confirmed.

  15. Level-Plankton-1805 on

    May the 21 people who lost their lives find peace and the injured have a fast recovery. Amen

  16. Clear_Firefighter334 on

    Some of you people, the ones making jokes, are either sick or you never grew up to be adults. There is something wrong with you. Sorry to say.