Spain train crash near Urda, Toledo: at least 30 reported dead as AVE and Iryo high-speed trains collide

At least 30 people are reported to have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in the Spanish province of Toledo on Wednesday morning, 28 October, CNBC reported, citing local officials. It is Spain's second deadly high-speed rail crash this year.

The collision happened shortly before 9:15 am local time (1:15 pm Pakistan time) near the town of Urda, on the high-speed line between Madrid and Andalusia (the route to Seville).

What we know so far

• Where: between Mora and Urda, in Toledo province, Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain.
• Trains: initial reports say a Renfe AVE train hit an Iryo train from behind, according to images and captions published by Europa Press. CBS News, citing Spanish broadcaster TVE, said both trains were travelling in the same direction and that two cars of the train that was hit came off the track.
• Speed: CNBC reported that a stationary train was hit at more than 100 km an hour.
• Passengers: more than 500 people were on the two trains, El Pais reported.
• Deaths: at least 30 reported, with officials telling Spanish media that more deaths are expected. Early reports on Wednesday had put the toll at 10.
• Injured: no official figure yet.

What officials said

Spain's Health Minister Monica Garcia told a television channel, according to El Pais: "We don't have a figure, but it's going to be a major tragedy."

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X that he was "shocked" and that emergency services were working at the scene with all the administrations involved.

Urda's mayor told TVE that passengers had been injured, and civil protection asked the town hall to open its sports pavilion to receive passengers. An advanced medical post was set up at the site to sort the injured and send them to hospitals. Fire crews from Alcazar de San Juan and Orgaz, three air ambulances and two mobile intensive care units were at the scene.

What caused it

There is no official cause yet. Rail infrastructure manager Adif is investigating, Spanish news agency EFE reported. El Pais, citing government sources, said early analysis points to human error: signalling systems are automated, but switch to manual operation when signals fail, and an Adif operator may have made a mistake after a signal failure. This has not been confirmed.

Trains suspended

Adif said high-speed traffic between Madrid and Andalusia has been interrupted, including services between Madrid and Ciudad Real. Passengers were left waiting at Seville's Santa Justa station.

The second crash this year

In January, 45 people died in southern Spain when a train left the track and hit an oncoming train. Sources told El Pais Wednesday's crash could turn out worse.

The crash comes a month before a snap general election in Spain. Vox leader Santiago Abascal blamed the government on X, writing of "neglect" and "ruin".

For readers in Pakistan

Families trying to reach relatives travelling on the Madrid to Seville line should follow Adif and Renfe updates and contact Pakistan's embassy in Madrid. Sending money to Spain? Check today's euro rate on our euro to rupee page.

This story will be updated as officials confirm the toll.