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The official death toll from Sunday’s catastrophic train crash near Adamuz, Córdoba, has risen to 41, although authorities warn the final figure may yet increase. Rescue teams continue to work through the wreckage of the two derailed trains, while investigators face mounting pressure to explain how the accident occurred on a section of high-speed line with a history of reported problems.

 

The tragedy happened on Sunday afternoon, January 18, when an Iryo high-speed train travelling from Málaga to Madrid derailed and collided with an Alvia service heading in the opposite direction from Madrid to Huelva. As of the latest update, 41 deaths have been confirmed. However, officials have been unable to close the final count because the Alvia train suffered the most severe damage and more bodies may still be trapped inside the crushed carriages.

 

In addition to the fatalities, 152 people were injured. Forty-one remain in hospital, including 12 in intensive care. One of those in intensive care is a child, although none of the hospitalised patients were reported to be in a life-threatening condition on Monday. The Data Integration Centre has also registered 43 missing persons reports, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the scale of the disaster.

 

Rescue efforts continued throughout Monday 19 under extremely difficult conditions. Heavy machinery was brought in to lift and remove the first three carriages of the Alvia train, which were reduced to twisted metal after plunging down an embankment. Emergency services have warned that the death toll is likely to rise as these carriages are fully cleared.

 

As the human toll becomes clearer, new information has emerged about the stretch of track where the crash occurred. According to reports submitted by Adif to the Spanish parliament, the section of line had previously suffered several incidents linked to high temperatures and vibrations caused by rail traffic. These issues had also been reported by technicians and train drivers, raising further questions about infrastructure safety.

 

 

Among the many personal tragedies, one story has particularly shocked the country. A six-year-old girl from Punta Umbría (Huelva) survived the crash almost unharmed, but she was left orphaned when her parents, her brother and her cousin all lost their lives. The Town Council of Punta Umbría confirmed the deaths of four members of the Zamorano Álvarez family, who were travelling together on the Alvia train.

 

The family lived in Aljaraque, in the province of Huelva, although they were originally from Punta Umbría, where the girl’s mother ran a children’s clothing shop called La Flamenca. Like many others on board, they had spent the weekend in Madrid following Real Madrid and were returning home after attending the match against Levante.

 

The six-year-old girl survived with only minor injuries and is now with her grandmother in a hotel in Córdoba after receiving three stitches to her head.

 

 

Spain has declared three days of official national mourning in response to the disaster. During this period, flags will fly at half-mast across the country and public acts involving political leaders and members of the royal family will be restricted.

 

National mourning applies to the entire territory, meaning all accompanying flags must also be lowered. The last time Spain declared official mourning was in 2024, following the deadly DANA floods in Valencia.

 

 

Image: Guardia Civil