Adamuz Accident Investigation Points to Track Fracture

Published on January 23, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Photograph of the railway track at the Adamuz accident site, showing a possible fracture point on the rail, with forensic investigation tools around.

Adamuz Accident Investigation Points to Track Fracture

The first data on the railway accident in Adamuz, C贸rdoba reveal that the rail already had a break before the high-speed Iryo train passed over it. This failure could explain why the sixth carriage lost contact with the rails, triggering the collision with another train approaching from the opposite direction. 馃毃

Main Hypothesis of the CIAF

The Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF) considers this theory the most plausible at this stage. However, it emphasizes that its findings are provisional and the investigation continues to confirm the facts.

Physical evidence supporting the theory:
  • Uniform marks detected on the wheels of the affected train.
  • A characteristic deformation located in a specific section of the rail.
  • These damages are consistent with the passage of a train over a pre-existing crack in the rail.
Physical evidence points to the derailment being a consequence, not the initial cause of the incident.

The Origin of the Fracture Remains Unclear

The investigation team has not yet been able to determine what caused the initial break in the track. The focus of the inquiry now shifts to two critical areas to clarify the sequence of events.

Next Steps in the Investigation:
  • Examine the black box records of both trains involved.
  • Conduct more exhaustive laboratory tests on the rail fragments collected.
  • These analyses are decisive to validate or discard the current hypothesis on the cause.

Final Reflection on Technology

This incident underscores that the fastest and most advanced transportation systems depend on the integrity of their most basic and static components. High-speed technology relies on details that, if they fail, can have serious consequences. 馃敡