Two High-Speed Trains Collide in Central Spain, Killing at Least 10
A rear-end crash on the Madrid-Seville line has halted rail traffic and prompted officials to prepare local facilities for the injured.
By Javier Sanders ·
Spain's central rail network has suffered a major disruption following a collision between two high-speed trains in Toledo province on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred on the line connecting Madrid to Seville, according to Adif, the state rail infrastructure authority. Adif confirmed that the crash was a rear-end collision, which forced the suspension of all services between the capital and the southern region of Andalucía.
Esther Padilla, a spokesperson for the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, confirmed that at least 10 people died in the crash. She told local media that the situation was serious and that the death toll could rise. "The information we are receiving is not good at all. There are at least 10 dead and it is possible that the number will increase," Padilla said.
Footage from regional broadcaster Castilla La Mancha Television showed the aftermath on an elevated section of track. At least one carriage remained on the line, while other parts of the train derailed. Twisted metal and broken panels were scattered across the embankment below the tracks. TVE reported that the moving train pushed two carriages off the track during the impact.
Manuel Galán, the mayor of the nearby town of Urda, stated that emergency services requested the preparation of a local sports hall. The facility will be used to accommodate injured passengers. Government sources told El País that this crash may result in higher casualties than the Adamuz rail disaster in January, which killed 46 people.
Political leaders responded quickly to the news as the general election is scheduled for next month. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was in constant contact with the transport minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha. In a post on X, he described emergency services as working on the ground to assist victims and ensure their safety. He offered support to the families affected by the accident.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the opposition People's party, also posted on X to express his concern. He stated that the priority was to attend to the victims and support their families. Feijóo pledged full support to the emergency teams operating at the scene. Major political parties suspended their planned campaign activities for the day to focus on the response.
The collision marks a severe incident for Spain's high-speed rail system in the months leading up to the national vote. The line between Madrid and Seville remains closed while officials assess the damage and manage the emergency response.
