The evening in Adamuz was tense and drawn out. The streets were eerily quiet, interrupted only by the blare of ambulance and police sirens. It was at that moment that sixteen-year-old Julio, returning from a fishing trip with a friend, found himself at the heart of an event that would shake all of Spain. Two trains had derailed, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured. Julio and his friend didn’t remain onlookers—they rushed in where help was needed most.
While adults were paralyzed by panic, the teenagers acted swiftly. They didn’t hesitate for a second when they saw the overturned carriages and people gripped by fear. Julio recalls that, in that moment, it felt as if his body no longer belonged to him—he moved on instinct, unfazed by exhaustion or fear. Alongside his friend, he pulled the injured to safety, helped children escape the mangled carriages, and carried victims to secure areas. In just a few hours, Julio made at least six trips between the trains, ignoring his own limits.
A night of trials
Time dragged on agonizingly slow. Julio and his friend stayed at the scene of the tragedy until midnight, making sure all the survivors were handed over to medical staff. They gave their own belongings—shoes, jackets, phones—to the injured without hesitation. Only one thing mattered to them: helping those in need. At one point, they met a young man who was in shock and begged them not to leave him alone. Later, this young man’s father found Julio to thank him for saving his son, calling the teenagers his guardian angels.
The tragedy claimed the lives of at least 42 people, with more than 150 injured to varying degrees. Dozens of victims, including children, are still in hospitals. Nine people remain in intensive care, and doctors are seriously concerned about their conditions. For Julio, these numbers are more than just statistics. He had seen the faces, heard the screams, and felt the despair of those trapped between twisted metal and shattered glass.
An Audience with the Monarchs
Two days after the disaster, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in Adamuz. They wanted to meet in person with those who showed courage that terrible night. Julio was in class when he was called out and told the monarchs were waiting for him. For the teenager, it was a complete surprise—he never imagined he would one day shake hands with the king and queen.
The meeting took place in the area where the rescue headquarters was set up. The King and Queen listened attentively as Julio recounted the events of that night. Letizia noted that Spain needs people like him and thanked him for his humanity. Julio himself admits that he still hasn’t grasped the scale of what happened. The memories of the tragedy won’t let him go, and perhaps the real pain will come later, when the emotions subside.
A Test of Endurance
For the teenager, the night of the disaster was a true test. He admits that he saw things no one his age should ever witness. On his way to those in need, he encountered bodies of the dead, wounded who could not move, and people who had lost all hope. Despite this, Julio never let himself stop. His actions are an example of how, in a crisis, teenagers can be capable of more than many adults.
Julio’s story is not just one of heroism. It is a reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, there are those willing to lend a helping hand. And sometimes, these people become true heroes, even if they don’t see themselves that way.
