At least 21 people were killed and dozens injured following a collision between two high-speed trains in southern Spain on Sunday evening, authorities said.
The incident occurred near the town of Adamuz, near the city of Córdoba, when a high-speed train from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crashed onto a nearby track, rail network operator Adif said.
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 and others lightly injured.
According to Adif, the accident happened around ten minutes after the train left Malaga, at 6:40 p.m. local time (5:40 p.m. GMT). All train services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident.
Iryo, a private train company that operated the route from Malaga, confirmed the derailment and said around 300 passengers were on board.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia said they were following the news of the disaster with “great concern.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and loved ones of the dead, as well as our love and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” the royal palace said on X.
Salvador Jimenez, an RTVE journalist who was on board one of the trains, said some people were able to escape without serious injuries.
“I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had actually derailed. They immediately called to see if there were people from the health service who could help, they took hammers to break the windows and finally they evacuated us,” he added.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government was working with emergency services to help those affected, while Andalusia region President Juanma Moreno expressed concern and support for the victims and their families.