Spain Train Crash Investigation Focuses on Broken Rail as Cause of Deadly Collision

Investigators probing last Sunday’s catastrophic high-speed train crash near Adamuz in southern Spain have zeroed in on a possible rail fracture as the main cause of the derailment, a breakthrough in the inquiry into one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters in decades.

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The accident, which occurred on 18 January 2026, involved two high-speed trains, one operated by private consortium Iryo and another by state-owned Renfe on the Madrid–Seville high-speed corridor in Córdoba province.

The initial derailment and subsequent collision resulted in 45 confirmed fatalities and hundreds of injuries, making it the worst passenger rail crash in Spain in over a decade.

According to a preliminary report from the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF), investigators identified a fracture in the rail track at the crash site that likely occurred before the train involved passed over it.

Evidence from wheelmarks on carriages suggests the fracture could have triggered the derailment of the rear carriages of the Iryo train, which subsequently crossed onto the opposite track and collided with the oncoming Renfe train.

Sources involved in the investigation say sensor data from earlier trains passing the same section of track detected anomalies in the rails, indicating that the track issue may have existed prior to the fatal crash.

Officials have emphasised that these findings are still preliminary and subject to further laboratory analysis of rail samples, metallurgical testing, and black box data before a definitive cause can be confirmed.

The Adamuz accident unfolded when the rear carriages of the northbound Iryo train derailed on a straight section of newly refurbished track and entered the path of a southbound Renfe Alvia train traveling at high speed.

The ensuing collision caused both trains to derail, with some carriages tumbling down embankments.

In the days that followed, rail workers, emergency services, and forensic teams conducted recovery and search operations amid challenging winter conditions.

National authorities declared three days of mourning as families continued to identify victims.

The investigation’s focus on rail integrity has intensified scrutiny on maintaining and inspecting critical infrastructure on Spain’s high-speed network, widely regarded as one of Europe’s safest.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente acknowledged the complexity of the crash and reiterated that no cause  including human error has been ruled out.

The crash triggered additional rail incidents during the same week, including a commuter train derailment in Catalonia caused by a retaining wall collapse, and another regional service striking a crane arm in Murcia, underscoring broader infrastructure and weather-related challenges facing the network.

Rail unions such as Semaf, representing locomotive engineers and rail workers, have called for stronger safety oversight, accountability, and infrastructure investment, even announcing strikes aimed at pressing authorities to address long-standing safety concerns.

The Adamuz derailment has spotlighted the critical importance of rail infrastructure integrity, especially on high-speed corridors carrying thousands of passengers daily.

If the rail fracture is ultimately confirmed as the cause, questions will be raised about inspection regimes, maintenance intervals, and the adequacy of existing safety protocols.

This has implications not only for Spain’s rail system but also for global high-speed railway networks seeking to balance operational speeds with the highest safety standards.