Two high-speed trains derail in Spain, 39 killed

(Patria) - Two high-speed trains derailed on Sunday in southern Spain. 39 people were killed and 73 injured. The President of the Andalusian government, Juanma Moreno, stated that 24 people are in serious condition and did not rule out the possibility that the death toll could rise as one of the carriages is "very damaged". Around 170 people have minor injuries and have been treated at a field hospital, writes Spanish rtve.es.

"Train Iryo 6189 Malaga - (to Madrid) derailed in Adamuz, hitting an adjacent track. A train (from Madrid) to Huelva traveling on the adjacent track also derailed," Adif, which manages the railway network, announced on social media.

Adif said the accident occurred at 18:40, about ten minutes after the Iryo train departed Cordoba en route to Madrid.

Iryo is a private railway operator, majority-owned by the Italian state railway group Ferrovie dello Stato. The train involved in the accident was a Freccia 1000 operating between Malaga and Madrid, a spokesperson for Ferrovie dello Stato said.

Adif has suspended all rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.

Andalusian emergency services announced on social media that all rail traffic has been stopped and that emergency services are en route.

The regional government has activated emergency protocols to mobilize more resources to the accident site.

Locals announced on social media that a building in the village closest to the accident will be equipped to house evacuated passengers.