A tragic high-speed train crash in southern Spain has left at least 20 people dead and dozens injured, authorities report. The accident occurred on Sunday evening when a train traveling between Malaga and Madrid derailed and collided with an oncoming train. The Spanish rail operator Adif confirmed that the two trains, carrying around 500 passengers, were traveling in opposite directions on the same track. The health minister for the Andalusia region, Antonio Sanz, expressed concern that the death toll may rise above 20. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 73 injured passengers taken to six hospitals. One passenger carriage reportedly rolled down a four-meter slope, and firefighters reported severe damage to one of the trains, with multiple carriages off the rails. The regional Civil Protection chief, Maria Belen Moya Rojas, noted the challenging access to the crash site, with local residents providing essential support. High-speed trains are a common mode of travel in Spain, and the country's military emergency relief units, along with the Red Cross, are assisting in the rescue efforts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences, stating that her thoughts are with the victims and their families. Train services between Madrid and Andalusian cities have been suspended for the day.
