The probable cause of the train accident in Spain and the variant ruled out by the investigators
Rail accident in Adamuz, Cordoba, Sunday, January 18, 2026. Credit: Joaquin Corchero / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Spanish authorities are conducting parallel judicial and technical investigations to determine the cause of the railway accident in the south of the country, which killed 40 people, initially focusing on the nearly new model of the train operated by Iryo and on a critical point in the infrastructure, the Adamuz platform, El Pais wrote.
Sources close to the investigation told the Spanish publication that a malfunction of the railway is considered to be the most likely cause, and have virtually ruled out the possibility of sabotage.
On Sunday, in Adamuz, Cordoba province, an Iryo high-speed train derailed and crossed the other line, where it hit an oncoming train operated by the state-funded company Renfe. At least 40 people died as a result of the accident.
The cause of the tragedy has yet to be determined, and the transport minister, Renfe chief and Iryo management agree that it could be days before an explanation for the Iryo train derailment is found.
20 seconds between derailment and impact
Minister Oscar Puente spoke on Sunday evening about the “strange” circumstances in which the train accident occurred and the bewilderment that exists among experts in the field.
The train operated by Renfe traveled within the speed limit, at 210 kilometers per hour, which considerably reduces the suspicion of human error.
The head of Renfe explained that there is a safety system for emergency braking, LZB, which activates “when an obstacle is on the tracks”, but the short time between the derailment of the Iryo train and the collision would have prevented the technology from working effectively.
He estimated that the company's train had only 20 seconds, insufficient to react, between the derailment of the Iryo train and the fatal collision.
In this case, one cannot speak of an obsolete rolling stock. The Frecciarossa model of the Iryo train left the factory in 2022 and underwent its final inspection last Thursday. The operator requested a report from the manufacturer and maintenance provider Hitachi Rail detailing the findings of each inspection. Iryo boss Carlos Bertomeu described the accident as “rare” and “strange”.
“I've been in the transportation industry for 32 years and I've never had an accident with casualties, and it's horrible, it's a tragedy,” said Bertomeu, who avoided speculating on possible causes.
