URDA, Spain (AP) — A high-speed train collided with another that had stopped on the tracks Wednesday, resulting in at least 68 fatalities and numerous injuries in Toledo province.
Authorities confirmed that the crash occurred around 8:53 a.m., involving two high-speed trains traveling from Madrid to Seville. The RENFE train struck the rear of the IRYO train, which had halted while carrying a total of 544 passengers between them.
Emergencies services reported that 58 individuals required medical treatment, with casualties continuing to emerge as rescue workers search the wreckage. Injured passengers have been transported to various hospitals in the region.
Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente indicated that the collision followed a security system failure that led to the RENFE train being incorrectly cleared to proceed, despite an ongoing stop signal.
As of now, rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real, and Andalusia remain suspended. The regional government of Castilla-La Mancha is coordinating response efforts, which include military support for emergency teams.
Witness accounts describe chaotic scenes with passengers thrown from their seats. One survivor noted, “Everything went flying… luggage, cell phones.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has canceled his agenda to address the situation, while Spain's King Felipe VI expressed condolences to the victims and their families. The European Commission president extended her sympathies as the nation grapples with its second fatal rail incident this year.
As investigations continue, authorities stress the need for enhanced safety protocols within the rail system.