Rome [Italy], January 19 (ANI): Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences after a deadly railway accident in southern Spain killed at least 21 people and left several others injured.

'With great sadness I learn of the railway accident that occurred in Andalusia, where two high-speed trains derailed. Italy stands close to Spain in its grief for this tragedy. Our thoughts go out to the victims, the injured and their families,' Meloni said.

The accident took place in Spain's Cordoba province near Adamuz, where a high-speed Iryo train derailed and collided with another train, according to Euro News, citing officials.

The Iryo train, which carried around 300 passengers, was travelling from Malaga to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha when it derailed after crossing onto an adjacent track and hit an AVE train operating on the Madrid-Huelva route. The second train was run by Spain's state-owned railway company Renfe.

Footage shared by passengers on social media showed several carriages badly damaged after the collision. Witnesses said the impact felt like an earthquake. Passengers were forced to break windows to escape, which caused multiple injuries from cuts. Several passengers also reported smoke inside the trains and sought medical help, Euro News reported.

Spanish railway infrastructure operator ADIF said all train services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended until further notice. It confirmed that emergency services were deployed at the site and will continue operations overnight in coordination with local authorities, Renfe and Iryo.

Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with Spanish public broadcaster RTVE who was travelling on the Iryo train from Malaga, said the last two carriages derailed, with one completely overturned.

'We left Malaga on time at 6:40 pm. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had derailed,' he said, adding that passengers were evacuated after breaking windows with hammers.

Emergency teams remain at the site to assess the situation, treat the injured and determine the full extent of the damage.

The Red Cross has mobilised one medical ambulance from Cordoba and three additional ambulances from Jaen. It is also providing basic necessities to passengers from both trains involved in the accident, Euro News reported.

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said he is monitoring the situation from the ADIF Operations Control Centre and will share updates as confirmed information becomes available.

Madrid regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso offered support from hospitals in the Community of Madrid to treat the injured.

'The hospitals of the Community of Madrid and the 112 emergency teams are on standby following the tragic accident in Cordoba and are at the disposal of the Andalusian Regional Government,' she said, adding that support teams will be deployed at Madrid's Atocha station to assist relatives.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the derailment. (ANI)