At least five people have died, and more than 100 have been injured after two high-speed trains collided in Spain.
A train bound for the Spanish capital, Madrid, crossed into an adjacent track, hitting a train heading to the port city of Huelva in the Andalusia region, according to local reports.
Emergency services said the collision killed five people and severely injured 25.
It is believed the accident occurred near the town of Admuz in the Cordoba province at around 6.40pm on Sunday.
Videos on social media appear to show smoke inside the carriage, and standing passengers crowded inside the train, with some seeking medical assistance for those severely injured.
Emergency services and firefighters were rushed to the scene after multiple casualties were reported.
Carina Mejias, a member of Spain’s Congress of Deputies, confirmed the incident and shared her well wishes to those injured.
In a statement, cited by local outlets, she said: ‘My full solidarity with the injured people, to whom I wish a swift and complete recovery.’
Mejias has criticised the government, claiming that the derailment was a ‘direct consequence of the government’s negligence’, citing ‘years of lack of investment, maintenance, and oversight’.
She added: ‘The insecurity in Spanish railways is a matter of political responsibility. And we are going to demand it.’
Adif, the state-owned body that manages Spain’s railway infrastructure, said services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended and passengers were evacuated.
It is not yet known what caused the derailment, but an investigation by local authorities remains ongoing.
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