Approximately 200 trains have been cancelled this Monday after two high-speed trains collided near the Andalusian city of Córdoba on Sunday night, leaving at least 39 people dead and 123 injured.
Following the deadly rail crash on Sunday night, Spain’s State rail network Renfe has announced the cancellations of several services between Andalusia and Madrid this Monday January 19th, due to affect thousands of travellers.
“High-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, Huelva, Cádiz, Algeciras and Granada will be suspended”, it noted on its website.
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Sources report that around 500 travellers were stranded in Málaga last night, and many more are due to be affected today.
A total of 23 Renfe trains have been cancelled between Madrid and Seville, including AVE, Alvia, and Avlo services.
Another 18 Renfe trains between Madrid and Córdoba have been suspended, as well as 28 connections to Málaga and six connections to Huelva.
French-owned high-speed rail network Ouigo also said that it has cancelled several services between Madrid and Andalusia. This includes four trains to Seville and another four to Córdoba and Málaga.
Italian-owned Iryo, one of the companies involved in the collision, said it has cancelled 18 connections between Madrid and Seville, as well as 24 to Córdoba and three to Málaga.
Renfe services from Madrid to Castilla-La Mancha region, including Toledo, Ciudad Real and Puertollano are operating as normal.
Spain’s state-owned railway infrastructure management company Adif confirmed: “once it is possible to remove the affected trains, we will assess the damage to the infrastructure and mobilise all the necessary technical and human resources to restore traffic”.
Currently, there is no indication when service will resume. There may even be cancellations on Tuesday too.
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Anyone that needs to travel between Andalusia and Madrid today will have to find alternative transportation.
There are still medium distance rail service between Seville and Madrid, but this takes a total of 8 hours, so travellers will need to leave much more time. There are also rail service operating to Valencia and then over to Madrid, however, this too will take much longer.
Buses also operate between the main cities of Seville, Málaga and Córdoba, which take between 5 and 6 hours. Tickets are booking up fast, however, so reserve soon if you want to take this option.
Of course, rental cars are also available for the 5-hour drive between Madrid and Seville (as well as other Andalusian cities). There are ride share apps such as Blabla Car, but reports are saying they are already all booked up. Taxis can also be booked for the journey, but this is one of the most expensive options with travellers saying there are being quoted €400 to €500.
Another option is to fly between Madrid and Seville. Iberia offers two direct flights this Monday: one at 12:30pm and another at 7:50pm. Given the number of travellers already looking at this option and the last-minute booking, prices are already more than €120 one way.
Iberia operates also a flight between Madrid and Málaga at 4:30pm for just over €140.
Many people have been forced to abandon travel plans or have been stranded, due to the fact that many alternatives have already been booked up.
READ ALSO: Deadly Spanish train crash a ‘night of deep pain for our country’, PM says
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If you don’t have to travel today, but already have your ticket, rail companies must offer assistance and compensation.
It is possible to make changes or cancellations free of charge by contacting Renfe or going online, if you booked through the website.
In case of delays once the service is reactivated, passengers have the right to claim 100 percent of the ticket price if the delay exceeds 90 minutes, and 50 percent if the delay is equal to or more than 60 minutes.
