BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent opened Monday's live broadcast with devastating news of a major rail disaster in southern Spain, which has left dozens dead and many more seriously injured.
Breaking the tragic news on air
Sally Nugent, alongside co-host Jon Kay, began the January 19 programme by informing viewers of a catastrophic collision between two trains near the town of Adamuz in the Andalusia region. The initial death toll was reported as at least 21, but this tragically rose to 39 as the morning progressed. More than 30 passengers were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Nugent detailed that the incident occurred when a train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed on a straight section of track and collided with another train on the opposite line. Distressing footage from the crash site was shown, with BBC correspondent Barry Caffrey providing a recorded report from the scene.
Rescue efforts and passenger accounts
One passenger described the moment of impact as feeling like an earthquake, with survivors reportedly smashing windows to escape the wreckage. Military personnel were dispatched to assist rescue teams, who faced significant challenges due to the severely mangled carriages.
Francisco Carmona, the fire chief in Córdoba, told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that the extraction work was "hard" and "tricky," revealing that rescuers had to move a deceased person to reach someone who was still alive.
The derailed train was operated by the private company Iryo and was carrying approximately 300 passengers. The other train, operated by Spain's national rail firm Renfe, had around 100 people on board. The involved train was identified as a Freccia 1000 model, capable of speeds up to 400 km/h (250 mph).
Official response and service disruption
Spain's Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, told reporters it was "very strange" that the derailment happened on a straight section, though the cause remains under investigation. King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they were following developments with great concern, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the government was working with emergency services.
All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were halted following the crash, with closures expected to last throughout Monday. The incident has evoked memories of Spain's worst rail disaster in over 40 years, the 2013 Santiago de Compostela derailment which killed 79 people.
Elsewhere on Monday's BBC Breakfast, Sally Nugent and Jon Kay provided political updates as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer prepared for a national address. The programme also covered US President Donald Trump's tariff threats and Prince Harry's return to the UK.
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
