Óscar Puente

Stories

Spain's deadliest rail disaster in 13 years

Leading government response; cancelled Davos trip

Spain's high-speed rail network had operated without a fatal accident on dedicated lines for 34 years. On January 18, 2026, an Iryo train from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz and hit a Renfe Alvia service head-on, killing 45 and injuring 292.

Updated May 22

Notable Quotes

"It is truly strange. All the railway experts who have been here today are extremely baffled by the accident." — Press conference, January 19, 2026

from Spain's deadliest rail disaster in 13 years · Updated May 22

"It must have been some kind of failure in the rolling stock or the infrastructure, and that will take time to investigate."

from Spain's deadliest rail disaster in 13 years · Updated May 22

"That is the crux of this whole thing, or one of them, knowing what came first — the fracturing of the track and then the derailment, or if the derailment caused the fracture in the track." — Cadena Ser radio, January 20, 2026

from Spain's deadliest rail disaster in 13 years · Updated May 22

"Now we have to determine if that is a cause or a consequence (of the derailment)."

from Spain's deadliest rail disaster in 13 years · Updated May 22