A catastrophic train accident in southern Spain has claimed at least 39 lives, according to the country's Civil Guard, with many more injured. This collision, which occurred near the city of Córdoba, is being described by officials as the worst rail disaster in Spain in over a decade.
The unfortunate event took place around 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT) when one train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto the opposite track, colliding with another high-speed train traveling from Madrid to Huelva. Most casualties were reported to be in the front carriages of the Huelva-bound train.
Initial reports suggest the cause of the derailment remains unknown, prompting authorities to launch an investigation that may take up to a month to reach conclusions. Transport Minister Óscar Puente termed the crash extremely strange and noted that expert railway consultants are baffled by the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Emergency responders report that there were about 400 passengers and crew members aboard the two trains, and rescue operations are ongoing. Challenges are present as the wreckage has twisted into complex shapes, making it difficult to access potential survivors. Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Córdoba, indicated that rescuers had to extricate victims from distressing situations, emphasizing the complexity of their efforts.
Currently, authorities have yet to identify the victims, and the death toll may rise as investigations continue. As of the latest updates, 112 individuals have received medical assistance, with 48 remaining in the hospital, including several in critical condition.
