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Spanish Train Crash: Faulty Track Section Warned About Months Before Tragedy

Published January 19, 2026, 18:00
Spanish Train Crash: Faulty Track Section Warned About Months Before Tragedy

At least 39 people have died and 25 were seriously injured in Spain following a collision between two trains near Adamuz, in the province of Cordoba. Authorities are investigating the causes of the tragic incident, with preliminary evidence suggesting that a broken rail joint may be the main cause. The train drivers' union had warned the ADIF company as early as August about serious damage to the railway lines, indicating that the accident could have been avoided. Technicians found that the faulty joint had created a gap between the two sections of the track, which widened with continued use. Álvaro Fernández Heredia, president of Renfe, the company that manages one of the two trains, said it was too early to draw conclusions, but commented that the circumstances were 'strange' and that human error appeared to be ruled out. The investigation is ongoing and is expected to shed light on the exact circumstances that led to the collision. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared three days of national mourning and promised a 'thorough and absolutely transparent' investigation to reveal the truth about the tragic incident. The government is committed to taking all necessary measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.