Spain Train Crash Kills 64 As Two High-Speed Trains Collide In Toledo

At least 64 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided near Urda in Spain’s central Toledo province on Wednesday, October 28, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise further. The accident has disrupted rail services connecting Madrid with Ciudad Real and Andalusia, while rescue workers continue searching the wreckage.

The collision occurred at around 8.54 am local time on the Madrid-Seville high-speed corridor, involving a state-owned Renfe AVE train carrying 397 passengers and a private Iryo train carrying 147 people. The Renfe train struck the rear of the Iryo service, which had stopped on the tracks, derailing carriages and sending wreckage down an embankment.

Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of Castilla-La Mancha, told AFP that the death toll stood at approximately 64 and could increase. Investigators are examining a possible signalling failure. According to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, the main LZB automatic train-protection system had been affected by a fault, prompting trains to operate under an alternative signalling procedure. Renfe said its train had been authorised to continue its journey, while the Iryo train remained stationary for reasons that were still unclear. The precise sequence of events and responsibility for the collision have not been established.

Emergency services, firefighters, Civil Guard officers, medical teams and the Military Emergency Unit were deployed to the site. Authorities established medical facilities and assistance centres for affected families. Health Minister Monica Garcia also appealed for blood donations.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was shocked by the tragedy and was in contact with the transport minister and regional authorities. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also expressed their concern and solidarity with the victims and their families. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conveyed her government’s support for Spain.

The disaster comes nine months after another deadly collision near Adamuz in southern Spain killed 46 people, renewing scrutiny of railway maintenance and safety. In 2013, a derailment near Santiago de Compostela killed 80 people, Spain’s deadliest rail disaster in decades.