High-speed train collision in Toledo province kills at least 30
A rear-end collision between two high-speed trains in central Spain's Toledo province left at least 30 dead and dozens injured, prompting emergency response and service suspensions.
A high-speed train struck the rear of a stationary train on Wednesday morning in the Toledo province of central Spain, derailing two cars and killing at least 30 people, authorities said. The crash occurred on a flat stretch between the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes, disrupting rail service between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
Regional spokeswoman Esther Padilla told state broadcaster TVE that the two trains, traveling from Madrid to Seville, were carrying hundreds of passengers and that the cause of the collision was not yet known. She noted that 397 passengers were aboard the RENFE train and 147 on the IRYO train.
"It was a high-speed impact, so we are expecting this to be a tragedy," said Health Minister Mónica García.
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his agenda and posted on X that he was "dismayed by the serious train accident in Toledo" and expressed his thoughts for the victims and families. Regional president Emiliano García-Page also indicated he was traveling to the site.
Emergency services, including a military emergency brigade, firefighters and police, worked to rescue survivors and recover bodies from the most damaged cars. The mayor of Urda, Manuel Galán, said the town hall was preparing a sports pavilion to treat injured passengers.
IRYO, the Italian-owned operator, said it had activated its security protocols and was cooperating with authorities. The incident follows a January crash that killed 45 people and was the deadliest train accident in Spain since 2013.