High-Speed Rail Crash: Control Center Logs Reveal Critical Sequence

Spanish train control center logs reveal that dispatchers authorized a high-speed train to proceed at full speed while a train ahead remained stalled on the same track. The recordings, released by Spanish media, cover the final minutes before a collision between a Renfe AVE and an Iryo train on Wednesday morning. The crash left at least 69 people dead and dozens injured near the town of Urda in Toledo province.

The incident occurred shortly before 09:00 local time. A widespread computer failure in the LZB continuous signaling system had halted both trains, which were traveling the Madrid to Sevilla route. The Iryo train stopped approximately 30 kilometers ahead of the AVE. Operators at the Atocha control center in Madrid took over management of the situation after the system failure.

At 08:41, a dispatcher instructed the Iryo train operator to disconnect and reconnect the LZB system, then resume movement under the BSL backup signaling system. The dispatcher specifically ordered the train to move with 'normal speed.' The Iryo operator acknowledged the command. In a separate call, the dispatcher gave identical instructions to the AVE driver, who asked to confirm if 'normal speed' was authorized. The dispatcher replied affirmatively.

Minutes later, the Iryo operator reported a transmission fault preventing the train from moving. At 08:48, the control center told the driver to proceed 'as soon as possible.' The AVE train, authorized to travel at up to 200 km/h in that zone, began moving toward the stationary Iryo train. The distance between the two was only about 30 kilometers.

The collision happened five minutes after the 08:48 communication. The AVE struck the rear of the Iryo train. Under standard protocols for an LZB failure, trains should have advanced at a safety speed of no more than 40 km/h. This lower speed allows drivers to see obstacles and stop in time. The audio records show that this precaution was not taken.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente called the circumstances 'inexplicable.' He stated that the decision to restart circulation without the safety system restored was made by the control center operators. 'It is incredible that these instructions were given,' Puente said, noting that a different contingency protocol should have been applied.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ordered a thorough investigation into the accident. The investigation is currently underway to determine the specific causes of the dispatch decisions. The logs provide a detailed account of the technical conversations between the Madrid control center and the two drivers in the hours leading up to the impact.