A tragic train accident in Spain has resulted in the loss of 21 lives, with many others sustaining injuries as the train derailed en route to Madrid. The death toll has now climbed to 21, with an additional 25 individuals severely injured following the derailment in Andalusia on Sunday, January 18.
The incident involved an Iryo train departing from Malaga with approximately 300 passengers on board. The train veered off the tracks onto an adjacent track, leading to a collision with another train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Both trains derailed in the process, as confirmed by the national rail operator ADIF.
Distressing images from the scene depict the extent of damage to the locomotives, with one carriage overturned on the tracks. Passengers were seen escaping through shattered windows, while injured individuals were observed sitting by the tracks awaiting assistance.
An RTVE reporter aboard the train described one carriage as completely overturned, with broken windows. The Minister of the Interior for the region activated the emergency protocol, establishing an emergency command station at Adamuz, as reported by Sky News.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente characterized the situation as very serious, explaining that the last carriages of the Iryo train dislodged and collided with the opposing track during the passage of a Renfe train, leading to the derailment of the latter.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed deep concern over the incident and assured collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency services to aid the affected passengers. High-speed train services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended as emergency crews respond to the scene.
ADIF announced the suspension of all rail traffic across multiple cities including Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, and Huelva at least until Tuesday. Iryo, the high-speed train operator in Spain, conveyed regret over the incident and activated emergency protocols to manage the situation.
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