21 killed, dozens hurt in high-speed train crash in Spin

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 21 people were killed and dozens more injured after two high-speed passenger trains collided in southern Spain, Al Jazeera reports.

The accident occurred at about 7:45 p.m. local time on Sunday when the rear section of an evening train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near the city of Cordoba and struck another train heading from Madrid to Huelva.

The Malaga–Madrid train was carrying approximately 300 passengers, while the Madrid–Huelva service had around 200 people on board, Spain’s rail infrastructure operator ADIF said.

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the cause of the crash was still under investigation.

Speaking at a news conference at Madrid’s Atocha station, Puente described the derailment as “highly unusual,” noting that it took place on a straight stretch of track that had been renovated in May.

Public broadcaster Television Espanola reported that the driver of the Madrid–Huelva train was among those killed and that around 100 people were injured in the incident.

Puente later confirmed that 30 of the injured were taken to hospital in serious condition, adding that all casualties had since been evacuated from the crash site to receive medical treatment.

sa