Spanish track was fractured before high-speed train disaster, report finds

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 23, 2026 at 05:43 PM

$Spanish track was fractured before high-speed train disaster, report finds$

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A preliminary report indicates a pre-existing fracture in the track caused the high-speed train derailment in Adamuz, Spain, on Sunday that killed 45 people. The Iryo train derailed after leaving Málaga, and its rear carriages collided with an oncoming Renfe train. The investigation revealed a nearly 40cm gap in the track and "notches" on the wheels of the Iryo train, as well as similar marks on three trains that used the track earlier that day. Investigators believe the sixth carriage derailed due to the track's discontinuity. While the report is a working hypothesis requiring further analysis, the transport minister stated that if the fracture was the cause, it likely occurred shortly before the derailment and was undetectable. This is Spain's deadliest rail accident in over a decade.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Huelva 30% Galicia 30% Adamuz 30% Málaga 40% Madrid 40% Óscar Puente 50% CIAF ×260% Spain ×270% Iryo ×880% Renfe ×480%

Keywords

train derailment 100% track fracture 90% rail disaster 90% high-speed train 80% train carriages 70% wheel notches 60% rail investigation 60% iryo train 50% renfe train 50% ciaf 50%