A high-speed train crash in southern Spain on Sunday resulted in at least 42 deaths, prompting an investigation into the cause of the accident on a rail system widely regarded as one of Europe's best. The collision occurred on a straight section of track near Adamuz, where a train traveling north from Málaga derailed and collided with an oncoming train, also causing it to derail, according to the CIAF rail investigatory commission.

The Spanish government has described the accident as "extremely strange," highlighting the unexpected nature of the incident on a well-established route. Recovery efforts continued Tuesday, with three bodies located in the wreckage recovered in the afternoon, and a 42nd victim found at the crash site.

The accident has shaken the town of Adamuz, where residents are struggling to understand how a rail line that had operated efficiently for decades could experience such a catastrophic failure. The high-speed rail, or AVE, network was inaugurated in 1992 and was seen as a symbol of Spain's modernization, built with EU funding.

The CIAF rail investigatory commission is currently analyzing the circumstances surrounding the derailment to determine the cause of the collision. The investigation will likely focus on potential mechanical failures, track defects, or human error.