Dozens of people were killed Wednesday when two high-speed trains collided in central Spain, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.
Government sources told RTVE that at least 30 people had died. Spanish daily El Espanol reported at least 50 deaths, citing regional government sources.
Government sources initially told El Pais they feared the disaster could be “worse than Adamuz,” referring to a January high-speed rail crash in southern Spain that killed 46 people. Authorities have yet to announce an official death toll or injury count.
Preliminary information from the Transport Ministry suggested a Renfe AVE train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train. Two carriages derailed and fell down an embankment, according to emergency services.
The Iryo train was carrying 147 passengers and the Renfe train 397, according to a regional government spokesperson.
“There were dead people underneath the trains. So many people couldn’t get out, screams, … it was horrifying,” Eduarda, a passenger on the Iryo train, told Spanish radio station Cadena SER.
Wednesday’s crash occurred near the Urda station in the Toledo province at around 8.54 AM local time (0754GMT).
Rail infrastructure operator Adif said both trains involved were serving the Madrid-Seville route. Services linking Madrid, Ciudad Real, and Andalusia were suspended.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and medical helicopters, were deployed to the scene. The Castilla-La Mancha regional government activated its emergency response plan, Anadolu Agency reported.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his scheduled engagements to monitor the emergency. Regional President Emiliano Garcia-Page said he was heading to the crash site, and various political parties canceled campaign events scheduled for Wednesday.
European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, have offered their condolences.
The cause remained under investigation, though initial reports point to “human error.”
European leaders express solidarity with Spain
European leaders have expressed solidarity with Spain following a collision between two high-speed trains in the province of Toledo on Wednesday, which killed at least 46 people, according to Spanish media reports.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was devastated by the news, extending condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.
“Today, Europe mourns with you,” she said in a post on US social media platform X.
European Council President Antonio Costa said he had received the news with “deep consternation.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government stood with Spain and the Spanish people during the difficult times.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed France’s solidarity with Spain, saying his thoughts were with the victims, their families, the injured and rescue workers.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said he was deeply shaken by the accident, extending condolences to the victims’ families and support to the injured and their loved ones.
He added that Spain could count on Belgium’s full solidarity.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda conveyed his condolences to Spanish King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, wishing the injured a swift and full recovery.
Romanian Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu also expressed sadness over the collision and offered condolences to the victims’ families, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
He added that Romania’s diplomatic and consular missions were in close contact with Spanish authorities and ready to provide assistance.
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