A high-speed train derailment and collision in southern Spain on January 18, 2026 left at least 40 deaths and sent shockwaves across the nation. Amid the tragedy, a 6-year-old girl escaped the wreck with only minor injuries, sparking both relief and sorrow among her family. The incident has prompted national mourning and an investigation into the cause.
At a Glance
- 40 deaths in the derailment-collision.
- A 6-year-old girl survived with only scratches.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning.
Why it matters: The crash highlights safety concerns for high-speed rail and the resilience of a child who survived a catastrophic event.
The Accident
At 7:45 p.m. local time, the Iryo train heading to Madrid from Málaga was approaching the Adamuz train station when its last two cars derailed. The derailed cars then swerved into the path of the Renfe Alvia 2384 train traveling in the opposite direction. The impact caused the two front cars of the Alvia train to fall down a 13-foot embankment.
- Iryo train: 289 passengers
- Renfe Alvia 2384: 184 people
- Total passengers involved: 473
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 18, 2026 | Derailment and collision at Adamuz |
| January 19, 2026 | Confirmation of 40 deaths |
| January 20, 2026 | Mayor leads moment of silence |
The Survivor
A 6-year-old girl from Punta Umbría, a town in the province of Huelva, escaped the front carriages of the Renfe Alvia 2384 after the derailment. Walking alone, she was found by two Civil Guard officers near the wreck. The child was taken into the custody of the Civil Guard until she was reunited with her grandparents.
The girl’s relatives were searching for her and the family for several hours until they received the tragic news that the girl’s father, mother, brother and cousin had died in the crash. The four deaths were confirmed by the Punta Umbría Town Hall.
“My son called me to tell me that my cousin was on the Alvia train and that he was supposed to get to Huelva,” said a cousin of the child’s father.
The child was reported to have suffered only a few scratches on her head, and was described by relatives as generally unharmed.
Reactions
José Carlos Hernández, the mayor of Punta Umbría, led a moment of silence for the victims. “There are many people who are very sad for the victims of this terrible accident,” Hernández told the media on January 20, 2026. “But there were also many who survived, like the miracle of the girl who is safe.”
The mayor also said that the girl is with her grandparents in a hotel in the city of Cordoba, which is near the site of the derailment. “She has a tremendous family who will do what it takes for her to have a happy life,” Hernández said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning in the wake of the disaster and visited the crash site on Monday. “This is a day of sorrow for all of Spain, for our entire country,” Sanchez said. “We are going to get to the truth, we are going to find the answer,” he added. “When that answer about the origin and cause of this tragedy is known, as it could not be otherwise, with absolute transparency and absolute clarity, we will make it public.”
Investigation and Aftermath
A preliminary report from the transportation ministry stated that the Iryo train’s last two cars derailed before colliding with the Renfe Alvia. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking the cause of the derailment and the collision. Spanish media reported that the incident has already drawn international attention, with the New York Times covering the story.
The tragedy has prompted a nationwide response: the Prime Minister’s declaration of mourning, the moment of silence led by the mayor, and the ongoing investigation by transportation authorities. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of high-speed rail operations in Spain.
