Rail Crash in Toledo: 10 Dead After Two Trains Collide

At least 10 people lost their lives early Wednesday when two trains collided near Urda in Toledo province. The accident occurred on the main line connecting Madrid to Seville. Local authorities stated that two carriages left the tracks during the impact.

Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, told TVE that the number of dead would likely increase. She explained that the trains were moving in the same direction. One train struck the rear of the other, which had been stopped.

The collision involved a state-run Renfe AVE service and a private Iryo train. Padilla reported that 397 passengers rode on the Renfe train. The Iryo train carried 147 passengers. Emergency sources cited by El Pais said two Iryo carriages fell down an embankment.

Manuel Galan, the mayor of Urda, said civil protection officials asked the town to open a sports pavilion. The facility will house affected individuals. Firefighters from nearby towns arrived at the scene. Three medical helicopters and two mobile intensive care units also responded. Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida confirmed on X that the capital is sending additional medical teams and firefighters.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X that he was shocked by the event. He said he is in contact with Transport Minister Oscar Puente and regional president Emiliano Garcia-Page. Rescue crews continue their work at the site.

Rail infrastructure operator ADIF suspended high-speed services between Madrid and Andalusia. El Pais reported that the Civil Guard sent a specialist disaster investigation team to the location. The cause of the crash has not been determined. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the consulate in Madrid is checking for Italian nationals among the affected.

This accident follows a deadly derailment nine months ago near Adamuz. That crash killed 45 people. It was the deadliest rail accident in Spain since 2013, when 80 people died.