Rail Collision in Toledo: 30 Killed as Trains Meet on Madrid-Seville Line
Emergency services are preparing a sports hall in Urda to care for injured passengers after two high-speed trains crashed Wednesday morning.
By Kavya Lin ·
The Castilla-La Mancha regional government confirmed at least 30 people died when two high-speed trains collided in Toledo province on Wednesday. The press office for the region verified the death count to NBC News. The incident marks the second fatal rail accident in Spain within the current year.
ADIF, the state-owned entity responsible for Spanish railway infrastructure, reported the crash occurred just after 9 a.m. local time. Officials stated that both the Renfe and Iryo trains were traveling from Madrid toward Seville in the same direction. Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for the regional government, told state broadcaster TVE that one train struck the rear of the other, which had stopped on the line. The impact forced two cars of the stationary train off the tracks.
Miguel, a passenger seated in the rear car of one of the trains, described the event to COPE radio. He heard a massive roar and a thud lasting ten seconds, which he compared to the sound of a train derailing. Through the window on his right, he observed the wreckage of the other train.
Approximately 397 passengers were aboard the Renfe train, while 147 rode on the Iryo train. Manuel Galan, the mayor of Urda, a municipality near Toledo, said emergency services requested he prepare a local sports hall to accommodate the injured. The cause of the collision has not yet been determined.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed deep sadness over the accident on social media. He stated that emergency services are working on-site with relevant authorities to assist those affected. Sanchez offered his sympathy and solidarity to the victims and their families.
The crash occurs on the same corridor as a January collision between trains operated by the same two companies. That previous accident on the Madrid-Seville line left 45 people dead. It was the deadliest rail disaster in Spain since 2013. The European Union reports Spain operates the continent's largest high-speed rail network, with more than 1,900 miles of track supporting speeds above 155 mph.
Renfe announced it has established an emergency phone line for victims' families. Iryo, an Italian-owned private carrier, said it activated its security protocols and is coordinating closely with authorities. The investigation into the specific mechanical or operational failures remains ongoing.
Source: NBC News
