At least 30 killed in high-speed train collision in Toledo province, Spain
Two high-speed trains from Madrid to Seville collided in Toledo province, killing at least 30. Officials warn the toll could rise; rail service is suspended.
The story in focus
At least 30 people died after two high-speed trains collided Wednesday in Toledo province, Spain. The trains, carrying a total of 544 passengers, were heading from Madrid to Seville. One train struck the rear of the other, which had stopped, derailing two carriages. The cause is unknown and the death toll may rise.
- The crash occurred Wednesday morning in Toledo province between the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes, according to ADIF.
- The collision involved a Renfe train with 397 passengers and an Iryo train with 147 passengers, both traveling from Madrid to Seville.
- Esther Padilla, a Castilla-La Mancha spokesperson, said the death toll rose from 10 to 30 and could increase further.
- Rail service was suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
- Spain's main political parties suspended campaign activities ahead of next month's general election.
Collision and casualties
At least 30 people were killed when two high-speed trains collided Wednesday morning in Toledo province, central Spain, on the line between Madrid and Seville. The regional government of Castilla-La Mancha said the death toll had risen from an initial figure of 10 and that the number could increase.
Esther Padilla, a spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha region, told state broadcaster TVE that the collision involved two trains carrying hundreds of passengers in the same direction from Madrid to Seville. One train ran into the rear of the other, which had stopped, knocking two carriages off the track. She said the cause of the crash was not yet known.
Trains and passengers
The crash involved a train from Spain's state-owned Renfe and a service from the private rail company Iryo. Padilla said 397 passengers were on the Renfe train and 147 on the Iryo train. Iryo said it had activated its security protocols and was working with authorities.
The accident occurred in a flat area between the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes. Footage broadcast by CMM TV showed a derailed train with at least one carriage on an elevated section of track, with wreckage scattered on an embankment below.
Response and service disruption
Spain's rail system operator ADIF said rail service was suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia. Emergency services, firefighters, police and a military emergency brigade were deployed. The mayor of Urda, Manuel Galán, said authorities asked his town hall to prepare a sports hall to accommodate the injured.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was in contact with the transport minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha, and that emergency services were working to assist those affected. The opposition People's party leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, expressed concern and support for victims and emergency teams. Spain's main political parties suspended planned activities for the day ahead of next month's general election.
What trains were involved in the Toledo province crash and how many passengers were on board?
A Renfe train carrying 397 passengers and an Iryo train carrying 147 passengers collided. Both were high-speed services traveling from Madrid to Seville when one struck the rear of the other, which had stopped.
Sources & further reading
- Spain train crash: at least 30 dead after collision in Toledo province ↗The Guardian
- At least 30 dead in crash between two trains in central Spain, media say ↗NPR
- At least 30 dead in high-speed train crash in Spain ↗CBS News
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
