Adamuz: Spanish police said Monday, January 19 that at least 39 people died in the a high-speed train collision Sunday in southern Spain and rescue efforts were continuing.

The collision took place Sunday, January 18 afternoon when a high-speed train derailed, jumped onto the track in the opposite direction and slammed into an incoming train near Adamuz.

Rescue efforts were still underway Monday morning. Dozens more were injured from the crash.

The Spanish Red Cross set up a help centre in the town of Adamuz, near the crash site, offering assistance to emergency services and people seeking information. Members of Spain’s civil guard and civil defense worked on site throughout the night.

Background of the accident

A high-speed train derailed, jumped onto the track in the opposite direction and slammed into an oncoming train Sunday, January 18 in southern Spain, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more, officials said.

The evening train between Malaga and Madrid went off the rails near Cordoba and slammed into a train coming from Madrid to Huelva, another southern Spanish city, according to rail operator Adif. The two trains were carrying around 500 passengers, according to media reports.

Antonio Sanz, regional health minister for the Andalusia region where the crash happened, said officials told him they fear the death toll may rise above 20. Rescue operations are ongoing, he said, adding that 73 injured passengers have been taken to six different hospitals.