The Madrid-Andalucia high-speed rail line will remain out of service for at least another two weeks, it has emerged.

It comes after the devastating collision between a Renfe AVE train and an Iryo service on Wednesday that has left at least 74 people dead.

According to reports, the line is expected to reopen on November 14, although the timetable is dependent on the recovery operation and the extent of repairs needed.

Emergency teams are completing searches for biological remains at the crash site near Urda. Once they finish, three large cranes and engineering crews will begin removing the wrecked trains.

The collision and derailment damaged the track, which must be repaired before services can resume.

Reports suggest work could progress more quickly than after the Adamuz disaster because the track itself does not need to remain preserved for the judicial investigation.

However, technical difficulties or unforeseen problems could alter the schedule.

Renfe has suspended new ticket sales on the Madrid–Andalucia high-speed corridor until December 13, but has stressed that this does not mean the line will necessarily remain closed until then.

Reopening depends on infrastructure manager Adif. If it authorises services to restart earlier, Renfe can resume running before that date.

Meanwhile, Renfe’s planned alternative transport service has been delayed and cannot begin before Tuesday, November 3.

The operator had intended to launch it on Friday, October 30, but said the SEMAF train drivers’ union required compliance with the statutory 96-hour notice period for changes to working schedules.

Renfe said it would announce the final routes, timetables and available services before November 3, along with a launch date once arrangements were confirmed.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.