OVIEDO (Spain)/ISTANBUL, Jan 19 — At least 24 people are now reported to be killed and 73 others injured, after a high-speed rail accident involving two trains in southern Spain last night, authorities confirmed.
Of the injured, 15 remain in serious condition, the Andalusia region's President Juanma Moreno announced, adding that medical teams had treated another 170 people for minor injuries at a field hospital, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing public broadcaster RTVE.
The accident occurred awhen a train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed at the near Adamuz, Cordoba, and encroached onto an adjacent track.
This caused a second train heading south from Madrid to Huelva to derail as well.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente confirmed on X that the first two wagons of the second train were "thrown off" the tracks, acknowledging that reports from the scene were "very grave".
Of the injured, at least 25 remain in serious condition, according to authorities cited by public broadcaster RTVE.
Adamuz's Mayor Rafael Moreno was first to arrive at the scene along with local police.
"I saw a passenger reduced to rags," Moreno told Spanish daily El Pais. "There was no light, it was nighttime. The scene is horrific."
BACK HOME, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, through its embassy in Madrid, is closely monitoring developments of the collision.
In a statement issued today, the ministry said the Malaysian Embassy in Spain is in contact with the Spanish central and local authorities in Cordoba, as well as the relevant railway operators.
The ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, said there has been no official confirmation of any Malaysian citizens being involved in the incident at this stage.
The ministry affirmed that it continues to monitor developments closely and will provide updates as necessary.
It added that Malaysian citizens requiring consular assistance can contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Madrid via telephone at +(34) 91 555 0684 or +(34) 91 555 0737, for emergencies at +(34) 659 89 49 43, or by email at mwmadrid@kln.gov.my.
