Two high-speed trains collided in central Spain, derailing carriages and killing dozens. Authorities are investigating the cause as rail services remain disrupted.
WEB DESK: Dozens of people were reported killed after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, October 28, derailing carriages and prompting the suspension of rail services between Madrid and southern Spain. The death toll rose from an initial report of at least 10 as emergency crews continued responding to the crash.
The collision occurred in Toledo province, near the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes, on the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed railway line. The trains involved were operated by Renfe and Iryo, according to reports citing regional authorities and rail officials.
Casualty figures varied as new information emerged. The French news agency AFP reported at least 31 deaths, while Sky News and Al Jazeera later reported a toll of at least 39, citing local authorities. The latest official total should be confirmed before publication.
Carriages derail as emergency teams respond
Footage from regional broadcaster Castilla-La Mancha Television showed a derailed train, damaged carriages and wreckage scattered along an embankment. Regional spokesperson Esther Padilla said several carriages had fallen down the embankment and warned that the number of casualties could increase.
The trains were carrying hundreds of passengers. Regional officials said 147 people were aboard the Iryo train and 397 on the Renfe train. Emergency services were dispatched to assist passengers and the injured, while local authorities prepared facilities to accommodate people affected by the accident.
Cause of the crash remains unclear
Regional officials said the collision happened shortly after 9am local time. Initial accounts indicated that one train struck the rear of another train that had stopped, causing two carriages to derail. Authorities had not established why the train stopped or what led to the collision.
Investigators will need to examine the trains’ movements, signalling records and railway infrastructure before determining the cause. No definitive finding on responsibility had been announced in the reports reviewed.
Rail services suspended between Madrid and Andalusia
Rail infrastructure operator Adif said traffic on the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line had been suspended following the collision. The disruption affected services connecting Madrid with destinations in southern Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock and solidarity with the victims and their families. The opposition People’s Party also cancelled campaign events, according to Reuters, as the country responded to the disaster.
Spain faces another deadly rail disaster
The collision comes months after another deadly crash involving Renfe and Iryo trains near Adamuz in Córdoba province. That January accident killed 46 people and prompted debate about railway maintenance and investment. It remains unclear whether the latest collision involved similar factors.
Authorities are continuing rescue and investigative work. The final death toll, the number of injured passengers and the cause of the collision remain subject to official confirmation.
