Madrid: 30 people reportedly died after two high speed passenger trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday morning, prompting a major emergency response and the suspension of rail services between Madrid and the southern region of Andalusia.
Spanish public broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) reported at least 30 fatalities, citing government sources. Authorities did not announce an official death toll as rescue operations continued.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:54 am local time near Urda, in the province of Toledo, around 140 kilometres south of Madrid.
The accident involved a high speed Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) train operated by Spain's national railway company, Renfe, and another train operated by the private rail company Iryo.
Preliminary information indicated that the Renfe train struck the rear of the Iryo service, which was reportedly stationary.
Hundreds of passengers aboard the trains
According to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, the Renfe train was carrying 397 passengers, while 147 people, including an infant, were on board the Iryo service.
The impact caused carriages to derail, with some reportedly leaving the tracks and coming to rest on an embankment.
Emergency services, including firefighters, medical personnel and civil protection teams, were deployed to the scene to assist passengers and coordinate rescue operations.
Urda mayor Manuel Galán said local authorities asked to prepare a sports facility to accommodate people affected by the collision.
Rail services suspended between Madrid and Andalusia
Spain's rail infrastructure operator, Adif, confirmed that high speed services connecting Madrid with Andalusia was suspended after the collision.
The disruption affected a major railway corridor linking the Spanish capital with southern cities, including Seville.
Renfe announced arrangements that let affected passengers change or cancel their journeys without extra charges.
Spanish government responds to disaster
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed concern about the accident and said that emergency teams were working to assist those affected.
The president of the Castilla La Mancha regional government, Emiliano García Page, also travelled to the accident site, while senior political leaders cancelled their scheduled engagements.
Authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances of the collision and did not yet establish the cause.
