At least 30 dead after high-speed train collision near Urda, south of Madrid
A high-speed train collided with a stationary train near Urda, killing at least 30 people and injuring many others, with officials citing possible signalling error as the cause.
A high-speed train travelling south from Madrid struck a stationary train near the town of Urda, about 140 km south of the capital, early on Thursday. Regional authorities said the crash left at least 30 people dead and dozens more injured, with two carriages falling off an embankment.
Officials in Castilla-La Mancha reported that 147 passengers were aboard the private-operator Iryo train and 397 were on the high-speed service. Emergency crews, including firefighters, paramedics and three helicopters, worked at the scene, treating victims on site and transporting the seriously injured to hospitals in Urda and Toledo.
"I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X, adding that he offered his "affection, solidarity, and support to all the victims and their families."
Health Minister Mónica García told radio listeners that the images showed a "significant impact" indicating a major tragedy. The mayor of nearby Los Yébenes described the scene as "truly nightmarish."
Preliminary investigations point to a possible human-error signalling failure, according to government statements. Renfe, the national rail operator, has opened a helpline for relatives of those on board. Parliamentary activities were suspended for the day as officials responded to the disaster.