At least 68 people have been killed and more than 100 injured after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain, prompting the suspension of rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.
TOPSHOT – The bodies of victims covered with thermal blankets are seen in the foreground as emergency services work at the site of a train crash between two high-speed units, a Renfe AVE train and an Iryo train around 150 km south of Madrid between Urda and Los Yebenes in the province of Toledo, on October 28, 2026. A high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 68 people and injured scores more today, with the toll likely to rise, authorities said, in one of Europe’s deadliest such disasters this century. The second such accident to strike Spain this year will raise fresh questions about the country’s rail safety, with the transport minister speaking of an “error” and “inexplicable circumstances” that led to the collision. (Photo by Javier SORIANO / AFP via Getty Images)
The crash has raised renewed concerns about rail safety as emergency crews continue responding to one of the country’s deadliest railway disasters.
The collision occurred at 08:54 local time near Urda, in the province of Toledo, south of Madrid, on Wednesday. According to Euronews, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha confirmed the death toll, while emergency services were deployed to assist injured passengers and manage the aftermath.
The two trains involved were operated by Spanish rail companies Renfe and Iryo and were travelling along the Madrid-Seville route. Renfe reported that the collision near Urda station caused two rear carriages of the Iryo train to derail.
Footage shared by local media showed damaged carriages scattered across the tracks and a nearby embankment, with emergency personnel working at the scene. Some passengers were seen leaving the area carrying their luggage.
Spain’s Civil Guard deployed additional personnel and specialist units, including aerial surveillance teams, drone operators, traffic police and forensic investigators trained to respond to major disasters. Emergency officials also coordinated with civil protection teams across Castilla-La Mancha.
Rail services suspended between Madrid and Andalusia
The collision prompted the suspension of high-speed rail services in both directions between Madrid and Andalusia, according to Spain’s rail infrastructure operator, Adif.
The disruption affects a major travel corridor connecting the Spanish capital with destinations in the south, including Seville. Travellers planning to use high-speed rail services along the affected routes should check with their train operators for the latest service updates before travelling.
Authorities have been coordinating the emergency response while the incident is investigated.
European leaders respond to the tragedy
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was shocked by the collision and was in contact with the country’s transport minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha.
Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García described the incident as a high-impact accident and warned of the scale of the tragedy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences, saying Europe mourned with the victims, while French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed France’s solidarity with Spain.
The crash comes amid renewed scrutiny of the country’s rail safety record. Another collision involving two high-speed trains near Adamuz in southern Spain reportedly killed 46 people in January, adding to concerns about the safety of the country’s railway network.
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