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Train Derailment in Spain Leaves at Least 39 Dead; Train Had Been Checked Days Before

Published January 19, 2026, 11:02
Train Derailment in Spain Leaves at Least 39 Dead; Train Had Been Checked Days Before

At least 39 people have died and many were injured when a train derailed in southern Spain and collided with another train traveling in the opposite direction. The private company Iryo, which owned the derailed train, announced that it had been inspected as recently as Thursday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has canceled his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos due to the tragic accident. All of his commitments today have also been canceled. According to Transport Minister Oscar Puente, the collision was particularly violent, with the first two carriages of the second train being thrown off the tracks. The causes of the accident remain unknown, but Puente described the circumstances as “very strange,” given that the accident occurred on a straight section of recently renovated track, involving an almost new train. Rail experts have expressed their surprise at the accident, as it is very rare and difficult to explain at this stage. Renfe, the company that owned the other train, stated that human error has been virtually ruled out, while both companies report that the circumstances are “peculiar.”