At least 39 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday, according to media reports. The casualty figures remained subject to confirmation as emergency operations continued.
The collision occurred at about 9am local time on the high-speed railway connecting Madrid with Andalusia. The trains, operated by Renfe and Iryo, were carrying hundreds of passengers.
According to Spanish media reports, a Renfe train struck an Iryo train that was stationary on the tracks. The impact derailed two carriages, which plunged down an embankment, triggering a major rescue operation.
Spanish newspaper El País reported that investigators were examining possible human error following a reported malfunction in the railway’s main signalling system. Citing government sources, the newspaper said an operator at rail infrastructure manager Adif’s control centre may have mistakenly authorised the Renfe train to proceed.
However, authorities had not conclusively established the cause of the collision. The reported signalling failure and suspected operator error remain under investigation.
Emergency services, including firefighters, police officers and medical teams, were deployed to the scene. Hospitals in the region were prepared to treat injured passengers, while rail services along the Madrid-Andalusia corridor were suspended following the crash.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock over the accident and offered support to the victims and their families. He also cancelled his scheduled engagements for Wednesday.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. The death toll and injury figures should be updated as official information becomes available.
