At least 40 people were killed in a high-speed rail crash in southern Spain after part of one train derailed and struck another traveling in the opposite direction.

The collision occurred Sunday evening in Andalusia when a train from Malaga to Madrid jumped the track and slammed into an oncoming train bound for Huelva.

The impact derailed the lead carriages of the second train, sending them down a four-meter slope and scattering bodies far from the site.

Rescue teams continued recovering victims from the wreckage as authorities worked to identify the dead and support grieving families, the AP has reported.

All survivors were rescued by early Monday morning, officials said.