At least 31 dead after two high-speed trains collide in central Spain

A Renfe service struck a stationary Iryo train near Urda in Toledo province, derailing carriages and halting services on the Madrid–Andalusia line.

At least 31 people have died after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, 28 October, according to regional president Emiliano García-Page, Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER reported. Authorities fear the toll could rise as rescuers reach damaged carriages.

The collision happened at 8.54am local time near Urda in Toledo province. A Renfe AVE train struck the rear of an Iryo service that had stopped on the track, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. High-speed services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended.

Castilla-La Mancha government spokeswoman Esther Padilla said the trains were travelling from Madrid towards Seville. The Renfe service carried 397 passengers and the Iryo train 147, according to figures reported by the Associated Press. Two carriages derailed, leaving wreckage scattered down an embankment.

Emergency workers concentrated on reaching survivors and recovering bodies from the most severely damaged carriages. Injured passengers were taken to hospitals in the surrounding area, while authorities asked Urda’s town hall to prepare a sports pavilion to receive casualties. A military emergency unit was deployed to support the response.

The cause has not been confirmed. RTVE reported, citing information from infrastructure manager Adif, that an alternative signalling system was in use following a fault in the line’s main train protection system. Early suggestions of human error remain preliminary.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his schedule following the collision. Iryo said it had activated its emergency protocols and was working with the authorities.

The disaster follows January’s collision near Adamuz in Córdoba province, involving the same two operators, which killed 46 people, according to Reuters.