Kreindler Following Deadly Collision of Two High-Speed Trains Outside Madrid near Adamuz, Spain
January 21, 2026
What Happened
Renfe Alvia high-speed train
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, two high-speed trains collided near the town of Adamuz in the south of Spain. A news article reported that the two trains involved in the deadly railroad disaster had approximately 500 passengers on board at the time of the crash. At least 43 people were killed and dozens more were injured and taken to six different hospitals.
According to news reports, the two trains involved, the Alvia train and the Iryo train, were traveling in opposite directions at the time of the crash. The Alvia train was headed from Spain’s capital, Madrid, and the Iryo train was traveling to Madrid. The last three carriages of the Iryo train derailed before crossing into the opposite track and collided with the Alvia train. The New York Times reported that Ferrovie dello Stato, an Italian state-controlled railway group, is the majority owner of the Iryo derailed train and Renfe, the Spanish national rail provider, was operating the second train, the Alvia.
If a part is found far from the crash site, it could mean that it was the cause of the derailment. If it’s found with the rest of the wreckage or close by, it may mean it became detached after the derailment and collision.
As Co-Chair of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, Kreindler Partner Andrew “Duke” Maloney recently helped secure a record-setting settlement from Metro-North Railroad as a result of a deadly 2015 train crash in Valhalla, NY. He spoke with The New York Times regarding this crash in Spain and about previously unreported evidence that a news photographer documented near the scene. The photographer discovered and photographed a train undercarriage that was partially covered by water in a steep gully nearly 900 feet from where most of the wreckage was found.
Spain’s Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF) will be nvestigating the high-speed rail derailment and collision.
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Truly an international personal injury practice, Kreindler’s 75 years of legal practice has included injuries, plaintiffs, defendants, cases, and litigation involving over 50 different countries. The firm is experienced in cross-border legal issues, both procedural and substantive, and our work routinely navigates international law challenges such as forum non conveniens (FNC), personal jurisdiction, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), parallel proceedings, and enforcing judgments.
About Kreindler
In 2024, Kreindler was named Transportation Law Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal. The firm focuses its practice on representing wrongful death victims and their families following mass transportation accidents. Kreindler is the preeminent aviation accident law firm in the world. Our attorneys have been appointed leading counsel in nearly every major commercial airline disaster case in the U.S. and abroad, including 2025’s tragic collision near Washington, D.C., between an Army helicopter and an American Eagle passenger jet. Kreindler’s personal injury practice has achieved an unmatched record of success representing people globally who have been injured or lost family members in international and domestic airline disasters. The firm maintains offices in New York, Boston and Los Angeles.
Endnotes
Photo Credit: Renfe Alvia high-speed train via Flickr by Hugh Llewelyn
If a part is found far from the crash site, it could mean that it was the cause of the derailment. If it’s found with the rest of the wreckage or close by, it may mean it became detached after the derailment and collision.
