Spain continues to investigate the aftermath of the Adamuz (Córdoba) railway disaster, in which dozens of passengers died in January 2026. New evidence uncovered by the court could change the course of the case and impact infrastructure oversight. The focus has turned to Adif, responsible for maintaining the tracks on the Madrid–Seville line.
Unexpected findings
The Court of First Instance in Montoro, handling the crash case, conducted its own inspection of the area near kilometer 318 of the line. During the inspection, it was found that Adif had replaced not only 36 meters of rail, as previously reported to the court, but also an additional 42 meters that had not been disclosed. According to El Pais, this work was carried out without prior coordination, which surprised investigators.
Adif notified the court of its intention to replace 36 meters of track just two days before starting work, explaining it as standard maintenance. However, the discovery of an additional section removed without notification raised new questions for the company. Judge Cristina Pastor has now ordered Adif to report any work in the Adamuz area at least 15 days in advance and to obtain court approval unless urgent safety measures are required.
Stricter oversight
Following the incident, the court restricted any actions by Adif on the section between kilometer markers 321.098 and 315.974, including the accident site. Any work in this area is now only permitted with court approval. This decision came after previous incidents in which Adif independently collected rail and weld samples shortly after the tragedy, drawing objections from investigators. All seized materials were transferred to the Hornachuelos maintenance base and sealed by police.
The court also required Adif to provide a detailed report on the work carried out, including the quantity and location of removed materials. According to El Pais, police documented and sealed both rail segments—36 and 42 meters—which are now under Adif’s custody as a legal guardian. Exceptions to the new rules are made only in emergencies where delays could endanger rail safety.
Response and consequences
Scrutiny of Adif’s actions intensified after the court had already issued a warning to the company for collecting materials without coordination. According to russpain.com, such measures responded to concerns that crucial evidence might be lost or altered before the investigation concluded. Authorities aim to prevent any tampering with the infrastructure until all the facts about the tragedy are established.
In the context of increased oversight of Adif’s actions, it is worth noting that the court had previously banned any work on a key section of the railway without special authorization, as detailed in the article about new judicial restrictions for the company at russpain.com. This decision marked an important step toward ensuring transparency and preserving evidence in the case of the crash.
Context and similar cases
In recent years, Spain has faced several high-profile cases in which questions were raised about the conduct of infrastructure companies following railway accidents. For example, after the incident in Galicia in 2013, which also resulted in fatalities, courts tightened requirements for preserving evidence and overseeing repair work at accident sites. Such measures prevented the loss of key evidence and strengthened trust in the investigations. Elsewhere in the country, courts have also imposed temporary bans on any activities until expert assessments were completed after transport accidents. These precedents show that stricter control over infrastructure is becoming standard practice in the aftermath of major tragedies.
