Deadly high-speed train collision near Madrid kills at least 68
A Renfe train rear-ended a stationary Iryo train south of Madrid, killing at least 68 people and injuring dozens, as authorities investigate a computer-control failure.
A high-speed train collision occurred just after 09:00 local time between the municipalities of Mora and Orgaz, about 140 km south of Madrid. The incident involved a Renfe service and an Iryo train that was reportedly stationary on the line, causing two carriages to tumble down an embankment.
Transport minister Oscar Puente said a computer failure halted six moving trains, after which the control centre allowed the Renfe train to proceed without speed restrictions, leading to the rear-end impact. Audio recordings between controllers and drivers appear to show clearance was given to the moving train despite a stalled train ahead.
More than 500 passengers were aboard the two trains, with the Iryo train carrying 146 passengers and one infant, and the Renfe train carrying 397 passengers. At least 68 deaths have been confirmed, and 80 people are receiving medical treatment, including 50 in serious condition and 15 in critical condition.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the crash site, stating, "the whole of Spain is grieving" and promising a thorough investigation. The government has suspended train services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia, and all public engagements by politicians were cancelled on Wednesday. Three days of official mourning began on Thursday.
The royal family expressed shock and concern, while the EU indicated readiness to assist. Emergency crews, fire units and helicopters responded, and regional hospitals postponed scheduled surgeries to accommodate the influx of patients. A Madrid blood-transfusion centre appealed for urgent donations.
The accident follows a January high-speed derailment in southern Spain that killed 46 people.