Spain has been shaken by two serious rail accidents occurring within 48 hours of each other, leaving dozens dead and injured, triggering major commuter disruptions, and prompting a nationwide call for answers.
High-Speed Collision Near Adamuz Leaves 41 Dead
The first tragedy unfolded on Sunday, January 18, near the town of Adamuz in Córdoba province. A northbound high-speed train operating for private carrier Iryo derailed before crossing onto the opposite track and colliding head-on with another high-speed service traveling south. The force of the impact sent carriages down an embankment in what officials describe as one of Europe’s most devastating rail crashes in recent decades. At least 41 people were confirmed dead.
Early investigative findings point to a key track component – a metal joint linking two sections of rail – that showed signs of advanced wear. Experts believe a gap in the rail may have gradually expanded under repeated train loads. According to investigators, seven cars passed over the area without issue, while the eighth derailed, dragging two more with it.
Additional evidence surfaced Tuesday when a photographer discovered a large undercarriage section in a nearby stream roughly 300 meters from the site. ADIF, Spain’s state rail infrastructure manager, later confirmed that investigators retrieved the part for analysis. Authorities are examining whether the material failure was confined to the track, the train, or both.
Renfe president Álvaro Fernández Heredia said there was “no indication” that human error played a role. The train model involved was less than four years old and had undergone routine maintenance days earlier by manufacturer Hitachi Rail.
Barcelona Commuter Train Derails Amid Severe Weather
Two days after the Adamuz collision, a separate accident struck Catalonia. On Tuesday night, a Rodalies commuter train traveling between Gelida and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia derailed after crashing into debris from a retaining wall weakened by heavy storms across northeastern Spain.
The train’s driver died in the accident, while at least 37 passengers were injured, including five in critical condition. Emergency crews deployed dozens of medical and fire units, establishing controlled zones to stabilize the site and safely extract passengers. One individual trapped in wreckage required mechanical extrication. All onboard were ultimately evacuated to nearby hospitals.
In a related weather-linked incident the same day, another commuter service derailed on the Blanes–Maçanet-Massanes route after a rock struck the train’s axle. No injuries were reported in that case.
Disruptions and Official Response
The dual incidents brought Catalonia’s commuter rail system to a standstill. Authorities temporarily halted all Rodalies services for inspections, stranding an estimated 400,000 commuters across the region. Transport officials are scheduled to meet following safety evaluations and network testing.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Transport Minister Óscar Puente visited the Adamuz crash site on Monday. Sánchez canceled a planned appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, signaling the gravity of the situation. Puente confirmed that the affected high-speed rail section had undergone comprehensive renovation in mid-2025.
Meanwhile, in Catalonia, Interior and Security Minister Núria Parlón and Territory Minister Sílvia Paneque arrived at the commuter derailment site hours after the incident to oversee emergency efforts and brief the regional government.
Spain’s Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF) is now leading the probe into both crashes. Investigators are working to determine whether the two incidents share any systemic link or were purely coincidental – one driven by infrastructure failure and the other by extreme weather.
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