At least 39 people were killed and more than 120 injured after two high-speed trains derailed and collided in southern Spain on Sunday night.
The crash occurred near the town of Adamuz in the province of Córdoba, roughly 360 kilometers south of Madrid, marking one of Europe’s deadliest rail accidents in decades.
Emergency services said 12 adults and one child were in intensive care, while dozens of others remained hospitalized as rescue efforts continued into Monday.
Authorities said around 400 passengers and staff were aboard the two trains, which were operated by private firm Iryo and state-run Renfe.
The collision happened at 7:45 p.m. local time when a Madrid-bound train derailed on a straight stretch of track and crossed into the opposite line, striking an oncoming train traveling south.
The remote and hilly location of the crash site complicated rescue operations, with access limited to a single-track road through olive-growing terrain.
Firefighters and medical teams worked through twisted wreckage, at times removing bodies to reach survivors trapped inside damaged carriages.
Police drone footage showed the trains coming to rest about 500 meters apart, with one carriage split in two and crushed.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and severe injuries as passengers helped one another before emergency crews arrived.
Advanced medical posts were established near the site, while hospitals across Andalusia treated the injured and offered counseling to families.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the death toll “is not yet final” and described the incident as extremely unusual as a formal investigation was launched.
Rail network operator Adif said services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended and expected to remain closed through Monday.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum and traveled to the scene, calling the night one of deep national pain.
Condolences were issued by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as leaders including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Officials said determining the official cause could take at least a month, as Spain confronts renewed scrutiny of its vast high-speed rail system.