A high-speed train collision in central Spain has claimed the lives of at least 10 people, with government sources warning that the death toll could rise further. The incident took place on Wednesday morning near the Urda station in the Toledo province at approximately 8:54 am local time (0754 GMT).
According to preliminary information provided by the Transport Ministry, a Renfe AVE train collided with the rear of an Iryo train that was stationary on the tracks. The force of the impact caused two carriages to derail and fall down an embankment, according to emergency services. Rail infrastructure operator Adif confirmed that both trains were serving the Madrid-Seville route. As a result of the crash, rail services linking Madrid, Ciudad Real, and Andalusia have been suspended.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and medical helicopters, were immediately deployed to the scene, and the Castilla-La Mancha regional government activated its emergency response plan. Government sources told the daily newspaper El Pais that they feared the disaster could be worse than the high-speed rail crash in southern Spain this past January, which resulted in 46 deaths.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his scheduled engagements to monitor the emergency, while regional President Emiliano Garcia-Page announced he was heading to the crash site. Additionally, various political parties cancelled campaign events that had been scheduled for Wednesday. While an investigation into the cause of the collision is currently underway, officials have not yet provided a confirmed number of injured passengers.
Two carriages derailed and fell down an embankment, according to emergency services.Government sources toldEl Paisthat they feared the disaster could be “worse than Adamuz,” referring to a January high-speed rail crash in southern Spain that killed 46 people.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.
