Europe
Two high-speed trains collide near Toledo, Spain: at least 68 dead, three days of national mourning
A Renfe AVE train slammed into a stationary Iryo train near Urda on the Madrid–Seville line. Minister Puente calls the control center's order “inexplicable.”
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 28, 2026, 18:20 · Updated 18:42 · 2 min read
In brief
- At least 68 people were killed and dozens are in the hospital after two high-speed trains collided near Urda, in the province of Toledo.
- According to Transport Minister Óscar Puente, the control center in Madrid allowed the AVE train to proceed normally even though a signal was still red.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning: “The whole of Spain is in mourning.”
One of the worst rail disasters in Spain's history happened Wednesday morning near Urda, in the province of Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha. At around 8:53 a.m., a Renfe AVE high-speed train crashed into an Iryo train that was standing still on the Madrid–Seville line. According to the regional government, at least 68 people have died, while 58 injured people are being treated in the hospital.
Safety system failed, train was cleared to run
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said that at around 8:30 a.m. the LZB automatic safety system suffered a computer malfunction along a 63-kilometer stretch, halting about six trains. At 8:36 a.m., the central control center in Madrid authorized the AVE train to resume normal running even though a red signal was still active. The train traveled about 25 kilometers before the collision.
Puente described the order as “inexplicable” and said the drivers were not to blame. He said that when automatic systems fail, the train should have run at reduced speed under the “marcha a la vista” procedure. Authorities are still establishing the exact speed; the minister said it could have reached up to 200 km/h on that section.
National mourning and condolences from Europe
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning and said the government would respond firmly if safety failures are confirmed. Emergency services, the Guardia Civil, drones and forensic experts were deployed at the scene, while network manager Adif suspended high-speed service between Madrid and Andalusia in both directions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “Europe mourns” with the victims. It is Spain's second deadly high-speed rail crash this year, after a January collision near Adamuz that killed 46 people.
