Spain begins three days of mourning after a high-speed train collision kills 41, with human error and speeding ruled out as causes.
ADAMUZ: Spain has begun three days of national mourning for 41 people killed in the country’s deadliest train accident in over a decade.
The disaster occurred late Sunday when an Iryo train from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz in Andalusia. It crossed onto the opposite track and collided with an oncoming Renfe service.
The death toll rose after a passenger’s body was recovered from a wrecked carriage on Monday evening. Over 120 people were injured, with 39 still hospitalised including four children.
Flags flew at half-mast on public buildings as the nation observed a day of mourning. Heavy machinery was deployed to lift severely damaged carriages for better rescue access.
The head of Andalusia’s regional government warned it could take another 24-48 hours to confirm the final death toll. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were scheduled to meet rescuers in Adamuz.
Among the survivors is a six-year-old girl who lost her parents, brother and cousin. The 27-year-old driver of one train was also among those killed.
Rescuers described a harrowing scene with mobile phones ringing beside injured victims. Firefighter Angel Uceda said, “It was harrowing, but we had to do our job and do what was needed.”
Officials said the derailment occurred on a straight section of recently renovated track, with both trains travelling within the speed limit. Transport Minister Oscar Puente called the accident “extremely strange”.
Human error has “been practically ruled out”, according to Renfe President Alvaro Fernandez Heredia. He also ruled out speeding, confirming both trains were travelling just over 200 kilometres per hour.
The Iryo train was carrying around 300 people, while the Renfe service had 184 passengers. Residents of Adamuz rushed to the town hall with water and blankets to aid the response.
Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron were among world leaders offering condolences. The collision is Spain’s worst rail accident since a 2013 derailment that killed 80 people.
