Dozens killed after two high-speed trains collide in Spain

Main pointsDozens of people have died after a crash between two high-speed trains ‌in Toledo in SpainA Renfe and an Iryo train crashed just after 9am (8am Irish time), causing ​two Iryo wagons ​to derail, a government spokesperson for the Castilla ‌La Mancha region saidRail operator Adif said a “rear-end collision” between the two trains had occurred between the towns of Mora and Orgaz, and involved a Renfe and an Iryo high-speed train travelling from Madrid to SevilleArmy’s emergency task force to be deployed to sceneThe Spanish government is deploying the army’s emergency task force, a special unit, to the scene.Prime minister Pedro Sánchez and several ministers canceled their appointments for the day, as did the opposition leader. - Bloomberg‘We heard a massive roar,’ said passengers onboardOne of the trains involved in the accident, on October 28th, 2026 in Urda, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Photograph: Juanma Jimenez/Europa Press via Getty Images Miguel, ‌a passenger travelling with several colleagues in the rear car of one of the trains, described to COPE radio the moment of the accident. “We heard a massive roar, a truly enormous thud that went on for 10 seconds, as if the train were ‌about to derail. Through the right-hand window, we could see a wrecked train – I imagine it must have been ​the other one.” His comments were relayed by Reuters.Another passenger on one of the trains reported that their Renfe AVE train came to a brief stop and was held up for a few minutes shortly before the crash, with the explanation given being “heavy traffic in the area.” After it moved off again, it collided at speed with the other train, causing a “violent impact” on the passengers. Talking to RTVE, Fernando Seco said passengers in his carriage – at the back of the train – were able to get out of the train and down the embankment, when they realised the scale of the disaster and damage to front carriages. He said there had been no sign that anything was wrong with the train beforehand.Official death toll climbs to 30 - but local media report as many as 46 may be deadA total of 30 ‌deaths have been confirmed so ​far from the high-speed train crash ​near Toledo, Spain on Wednesday, ⁠the Castilla-La Mancha ‌regional government ‌said, ​as emergency crews carried ⁠out ​rescue and recovery ​operations at ‌the scene.Local media in Spain are reporting that as many as 46 may be dead, based on estimates provided by local government, and dozens more injured. These figures have not yet been confirmed. The accident ​occurred on the ⁠Madrid-Andalusia ⁠high-speed rail line ​near Urda, where a Renfe AVE train and an Iryo ‌train collided, prompting ⁠a major emergency response involving ‌local, regional and national authorities.An information board at Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station, following the rail accident in Urda, Toledo. Photograph: Alex Zea/Europa Press via Getty Images Latest grim chapter in Spanish train crashesThe incident comes less than a year after a similar crash in Adamuz, the province of Córdoba, which killed 46 and injured 152 in January. A few days later, a driver was killed and 37 people injured when a train was derailed by the collapse of a retaining wall near Gelida in Catalonia.Following the Adamuz train crash, Spain’s largest train drivers’ union called for a three-day nationwide strike as it demanded more thorough safety checks and “the restoration of safety standards on the railway system.”Guy Hedgecoe, our contributor based in Madrid, reported at the time that the train network, in particular its high-speed lines, had suffered from lack of investment in maintenance.More than 500 passengers were travelling on both trainsLocal media in Spain report that the both trains were carrying more than 500 passengers.One of the trains, a Renfe AVE train, was reportedly carrying 397 passengers, while the Iryo train was understood to be carrying more than 140 passengers at the time of the crash. Carriages overturned at scene of crashThe first pictures have arrived from the scene of the train crash.They appear to show at least three carriages from one of the trains overturned after rolling down a bank, while other carriages appear to be slanted to one side.Emergency services at the scene of a collision between two trains in Spain. Photograph: Juanma Jimenez/Europa Press via AP Two train carriages rolled down embankment after crash, local media reportsWitnesses have told Spanish newspaper El Pais that there emergency medical teams have arrived at the scene.Its report also says two train carriages have left the tracks and fallen down an embankment.The accident ⁠happened shortly after 9am ​local time (8am Irish time) between the ​towns of Los Yebenes ​and Urda, in the province of Toledo, according to El Pais.Spanish PM, opposition leader ‘shocked’ by train crash in ToledoThe Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez has responded to the crash on X:“Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo. I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, @oscar_puente_, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha, @garciapage.Emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations. My affection, solidarity, and support to all the victims and their families.”