At least 39 people have died and dozens more have been injured after two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain, the country's Civil Guard has said.
The incident near the city of Córdoba has been described by local officials as Spain's worst rail crash in more than a decade.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the scene later on Monday, where rescue efforts are ongoing.
This terrible incident occurred at around 19:45 local time on Sunday, an hour after one of the trains had departed Málaga for Madrid. The train derailed and crossed to the opposite track, colliding with an oncoming train headed from south Madrid to Huelva.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente indicated that the majority of casualties occurred in the front carriages of the Huelva-bound train.
As rescue operations advance, officials have confirmed that around 400 passengers and staff were on both trains at the time of the crash. It remains uncertain if there are still individuals trapped inside the wreckage, and rescue teams are actively working to address the situation.
Survivors describe the fatal moment as chaotic, with reports of screams and panic echoing through the carriages. It felt like an earthquake, said one passenger.
An investigation into the cause of the derailment is underway, with experts baffled by how such a tragedy could occur under the current safety protocols. It is speculated that a mechanical fault or infrastructure issue may be at play.
The president of the Andalusian regional government has stated that heavy machinery will be needed to lift parts of the wreckage to facilitate the search for potential survivors.
As the situation develops, emergency services continue to provide aid to those affected, while the nation mourns this unspeakable tragedy.
