Five dead after high-speed train collision in Spain

At least five people died and dozens were injured when two high-speed trains derailed following a collision in southern Spain on Sunday evening.

Rail network operator Adif said the accident occurred near the town of Adamuz, near the city of Cordoba, when a high-speed train from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crashed into neighboring rails.

A second train traveling in the opposite direction from Madrid to Huelva also derailed.

Andalusian emergency services said at least 25 people were seriously injured, while others had minor injuries.

According to Adif, the accident occurred about ten minutes after the train left Malaga at 18:40 local time (17:40 GMT). Following the accident, all railway services between Madrid and Andalusia were stopped.

Private rail company Iryo, which operates the journey from Malaga, confirmed the derailment and said there were around 300 passengers on board.

RTVE journalist Salvador Jimenez, who was on one of the trains, said many people were able to leave the train without serious injury.

“I was in the first carriage. For a moment I thought it was an earthquake, but the train had actually derailed. They immediately called the health department to see if there was anyone who could help, they broke the windows with a hammer and eventually they evacuated us.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government was working with emergency services to help those affected, while Andalusia regional president Juanma Moreno also expressed concern and support for the victims and their families.