At least 64 people have died and over 80 others injured following a collision between two high-speed trains in Toledo province, Spain. The train wreck occurred on Wednesday morning, around 150 kilometers south of Madrid, involving an Iryo train, which had 146 passengers onboard, and an AVE train, carrying 397 passengers. Local authorities have indicated that the death toll may continue to rise as emergency crews assess the disaster’s full extent.
The collision has now become the deadliest train incident in Spain since the Adamuz crash in January, where 46 people lost their lives. This latest tragedy is also classified as the third-worst train disaster in Spain since the 1970s. Officials have confirmed that 30 casualties were initially reported, but subsequent updates raised that number dramatically.
Esther Padilla, a government spokesperson, revealed that emergency services are focusing on aiding the injured and determining the cause of the crash. Initial inquiries suggest a possible signaling failure before the accident. Reports indicate that the Iryo service may have sent a warning about an issue in its signaling system shortly before the incident, but the AVE train traveling behind may not have received the critical information.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who expressed being “shocked” by the incident, stated that he is coordinating with the Minister of Transport and regional authorities to ensure a thorough response. Transport Minister Óscar Puente has been on-site at the emergency control center, gathering information on the situation.
The collision has not only affected families and survivors but has also impacted scheduled events across Spain. The Spanish football federation announced the postponement of all Copa del Rey matches planned for the day as a mark of respect for the victims.
As rescue efforts continue and authorities investigate, the European Commission has offered assistance with the investigation, emphasizing its readiness to support Spanish authorities in any capacity needed. EU spokesperson Paula Pinho stated that it is “too early” to draw any conclusions regarding the incident.
Emergency services are working diligently at the crash site, and updates on the situation are expected as more information becomes available, including potential changes to the casualty figures.
