Spain has spent decades investing heavily in high-speed trains. It currently has the largest rail network in Europe for trains traveling over 250 kph, with more than 3,900 kilometers (2,400 miles) of track, according to the International Union of Railways.

The victims of Spain’s deadliest rail crash in more than a decade included a police officer, journalists and a family returning from a musical.

Ignacio Barron, head of Spain's Commission of Investigation of Rail Accidents (CIAF), said on RTVE: "What always plays a part in a derailment is the interaction between the track and the vehicle, and that is what the commission is currently [looking into]."

A major rail accident occurred near Adamuz, Spain, when two high-speed trains derailed after a collision, leaving five dead. Adif confirmed the Iryo train from Malaga to Madrid crashed into an oncoming Madrid-to-Huelva train.

Rail operator Adif said the accident occurred at 7.45pm (1845 GMT), around 10 minutes after the Malaga to Madrid train, operated by Iryo, left Cordoba - so far at least 24 people have sadly died