At a Glance
- A high-speed train collision near Adamuz, Spain, killed 43 people and injured 150+ on January 18, 2026
- Survivor Ana García, 26, launched a social-media search for her dog Boro, who fled the wreckage
- Animal-rights party PACMA joined the hunt, warning the public not to chase the terrified pet
- A 6-year-old girl who lost her family in the crash survived with only minor scratches
Why it matters: The dual tragedy of human loss and a missing pet has galvanized a nation already reeling from one of Spain’s worst rail disasters.
A single train journey from Málaga to Madrid turned into a national heartbreak on January 18, 2026, when the tail car of a high-speed train derailed and was struck by an oncoming train near Adamuz in southern Spain. The crash left 43 people dead and more than 150 injured, while one survivor’s desperate plea to find her missing dog has become a viral rallying cry.
Ana García, 26, had been traveling with her pregnant sister and her medium-sized black dog, Boro, after a family weekend in their hometown. As emergency crews pulled García from the tilted wreckage, she caught a fleeting glimpse of Boro before he bolted into the chaos.
“Please, if you can help, look for the animals,” García told reporters. “We were coming back from a family weekend with the little dog, who’s family, too.”
Social-Media Army Joins Search
Within hours, Spanish news outlets picked up García’s appeal. Thousands of residents shared photos of Boro-distinctive white eyebrows and a tuft of white fur on his chest-across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The hashtag #FindBoro trended nationwide.
PACMA, a political party focused on animal rights, amplified the call. On Monday, January 19, the group posted on X:
“Boro has disappeared after the train accident in Adamuz. He is the dog of Ana, one of the victims, and we need to find him urgently. He will be in the vicinity of the train accident (Adamuz, Córdoba), very scared and disoriented.”
The party added critical instructions:
- Do not chase Boro; panic could send him deeper into the woods
- Record him on video if spotted
- Entice him with food and report the location immediately
On Wednesday, January 21, PACMA’s dedicated rescue patrol received special permission to enter the sealed accident site and scour the surrounding woodland.
A Glimmer of Hope-Then Another Escape
An environmental agent from Spain’s Civil Guard confirmed he had spotted Boro shortly after the crash. The dog, however, slipped away before rescuers could secure him, vanishing into the thick underbrush that blankets the rolling hills outside Adamuz.
Authorities have not released details on how far Boro may have traveled, but temperatures in the region have dipped overnight, intensifying urgency among search volunteers.
The Youngest Miracle
Amid the grief, one story offered a fragile moment of relief. A 6-year-old girl whose entire family perished in the collision was found alive near the derailment site. According to La Vanguardia, two Civil Guard officers discovered the child with only minor scratches on her head. She was taken into protective custody and later reunited with her grandparents.
Investigation Underway
Spain’s rail infrastructure agency, ADIF, and national police have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Early reports indicate the rear carriage of the Málaga-bound train jumped the track, placing it directly in the path of an opposing high-speed service. Officials have not yet disclosed whether track defects, signal failure, or human error contributed to the disaster.
Community Response
Local businesses and residents have converted the town hall of nearby Adamuz into an impromptu donation center, collecting blankets, bottled water, and pet food for emergency crews and displaced passengers. Veterinary clinics across Córdoba province have volunteered to treat any animals recovered from the site free of charge.
García, still recovering from minor injuries, has vowed to stay in the area until Boro is found. “He’s not just a dog; he’s the last piece of our family weekend still walking around out there,” she said in a Tuesday radio interview.
Key Takeaways
- The January 18 crash ranks among Spain’s deadliest rail accidents this century
- Ana García’s plea for her missing dog, Boro, has mobilized thousands online and on the ground
- PACMA rescue teams are combing the restricted zone, appealing for public restraint and information
- A 6-year-old survivor offers a rare story of hope amid widespread mourning
