At least 39 people have been killed and dozens injured after two trains collided in southern Spain on January 18.
According to Spain’s Civil Guard, the collision happened about 10 minutes after the Madrid-bound train left Málaga at 6:40 pm local time, when it derailed on a straight stretch of track near Adamuz, close to the city of Córdoba, and crossed onto the opposite line and hit an oncoming train.
Rail operators said about 400 passengers and staff were on board the two trains, while Andalusia’s emergency services said at least 73 people were taken to hospital, including 24 with serious injuries, four of them children.
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente called the incident “extremely strange.” An investigation has been launched.
Indeed, since the mid-19th century, history has recorded some terrible train crashes. Whether due to brake failures, derailments, accidental fires, or human error, a rail wreck is a traumatic and very often fatal event. Fortunately, accidents are rare occurrences given the advancements in railway safety technology. But they can—and do—still happen.
Click through and be reminded of dramatic train crashes through the ages.