Spain is in shock after a deadly train accident in the southern region of Andalusia, where two high-speed trains collided late Sunday evening. At least 21 people were killed, and more than 70 were injured, officials said.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described it as a “night of deep pain” for the country.

The accident took place near Adamuz, close to the city of Cordoba.

Spain’s rail network operator Adif said a high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crossed onto another track. It then crashed into an oncoming train, causing both trains to derail.

Police confirmed that 21 people lost their lives. Andalusia’s top emergency official Antonio Sanz said at least 73 people were injured, warning that the situation remained serious.

“The situation is likely to see the death toll increase… a very complicated night awaits us.”

Emergency teams worked through the night to rescue trapped passengers. Some train carriages were twisted and badly damaged, making rescue efforts extremely difficult.

“The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside,” said Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Cordoba.

“We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work.”

Officials said some coaches had fallen four metres down an embankment.

A passenger named Montse, who was on the second train travelling to Huelva, told Spanish television that the train suddenly stopped and the lights went out.

“With a jolt, [the train] came to a complete stop, and everything went dark.”

She described luggage falling on passengers and children crying.

“Luckily, I was in the last car. I feel like I was given a second chance at life.”

Another survivor, Lucas Meriako, said the crash felt unreal.

“This looks like a horror movie.”

High-speed train services between Madrid and the Andalusian cities of Cordoba, Seville, Malaga, and Huelva were suspended on Monday.

Adif said help centres were opened at major stations to assist families of victims. The defence ministry also sent military emergency teams and vehicles to the crash site.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said:

“Today is a night of deep pain for our country owing to the tragic rail accident in Adamuz.”

Spain’s royal palace said King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were following the situation “with great concern” and sent condolences to the victims’ families. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, also expressed sympathy.

Spain has Europe’s largest high-speed rail network, with over 3,000 kilometres of tracks connecting major cities. The country’s last major high-speed rail tragedy occurred in 2013, when a derailment near Santiago de Compostela killed 80 people.