Spain high-speed train crash claims 64 lives

At least 64 people have died after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, 28 October, with emergency crews continuing their response at the scene near Urda in Toledo province, south of Madrid.

The collision involved two trains travelling on the Madrid-to-Seville route, with the impact causing carriages to derail and leaving a large-scale emergency response under way.

The BBC’s live coverage of the crash initially reported 10 deaths as authorities warned that the number of victims could rise. Subsequent reports placed the death toll at 64 as further information emerged from the scene.

The trains involved were operated by Spain’s Renfe and Iryo rail companies. Initial information indicated that a Renfe AVE train had struck the rear of an Iryo train that was stationary on the tracks.

The Iryo service was carrying 147 passengers, while 397 people were aboard the Renfe train, according to preliminary figures reported by authorities.

The impact derailed carriages, with two reported to have fallen down an embankment.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to the area to assist passengers, search the wreckage and transport injured people for medical treatment.

Reuters reported that the collision had claimed at least 64 lives, citing information from Spanish authorities. The incident is the country’s second major deadly train crash this year, following a January collision that killed 46 people.

Emergency services, including firefighters, medical teams and helicopters, were deployed to the crash site. Authorities have been coordinating rescue operations and assessing the scale of the damage.

The collision also disrupted rail travel, with services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia suspended following the incident.

The route is an important connection between Spain’s capital and the southern region of Andalusia, as the suspension is expected to affect passengers travelling along the corridor while authorities and rail operators respond to the crash.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was shocked by the incident and was maintaining contact with the transport minister as the emergency response continued.

Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation progresses and the identities of those killed are confirmed.

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