A Spain train crash near the town of Urda in Toledo province has killed at least 68 people after two high-speed trains collided on the busy Madrid–Andalusia line on Wednesday morning, October 28. Regional officials warned that the death toll is likely to rise as rescuers continue to search the wreckage.
Spain Train Crash: What Happened Near Toledo
The collision happened shortly after 9am local time, about 150 kilometres south of Madrid, between Urda and Los Yébenes in the Castilla-La Mancha region. Both trains were travelling in the same direction on the Madrid–Seville high-speed route.
A Renfe high-speed train carrying hundreds of passengers ran into the back of a train operated by private company Iryo, which had stopped on the tracks. The impact knocked Iryo carriages off the rails, and some cars fell from an elevated stretch of track onto the embankment below.
Spain’s rail infrastructure manager, Adif, described the incident as a rear-end collision and suspended all traffic on the line. Figures have climbed throughout the day as more bodies were recovered, and different counts are circulating, so the exact number of victims is still being confirmed by the authorities.
Rescue Operation and Injured Passengers
Hundreds of ambulances, helicopters and emergency vehicles were sent to the scene. The regional government said dozens of injured passengers were taken to several hospitals. Urda’s town hall opened facilities, including a sports hall, to shelter evacuated passengers and their families.
According to Adif, assistance points for relatives have been set up at Madrid’s Puerta de Atocha station and at stations in Seville, Córdoba and Málaga, alongside dedicated family helplines run by Renfe and Iryo. Updates are being posted on the official Adif website.
Cause of the Spain Train Crash Still Unknown
Officials said the cause has not yet been determined. Spain’s health minister said the force of a high-speed impact meant authorities were preparing for a tragedy, while emergency crews focused on the two most heavily damaged carriages. Investigators are expected to examine signalling, train speeds and why one train was stationary on the line.
Reaction in Spain and Abroad
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his schedule and said he was shocked by the accident, offering full support to the victims and their families. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also expressed their sorrow. With a national election due next month, the opposition People’s Party cancelled all campaign events.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed condolences to the Spanish government and people and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
Second Deadly Rail Disaster This Year
This is the second deadly Spain train crash on the same high-speed line in less than a year. In January 2026, a collision near Adamuz in Córdoba province killed 46 people and triggered a national debate over spending on railway maintenance. The new disaster is likely to renew pressure on the government over rail safety and investment.
How the Spain Train Crash Affects Travellers
The Madrid–Andalusia corridor is one of Spain’s busiest high-speed routes, linking the capital with Seville, Córdoba and Málaga. With the line closed, thousands of daily passengers, including tourists and the large community of overseas workers and students in southern Spain, face cancellations and longer journeys by road or air. Families trying to reach relatives can use the helplines run by the train operators.
What Happens Next
High-speed services between Madrid and Andalusia remain suspended while recovery and investigation work continues. A formal technical investigation is expected, and the final death toll will be confirmed once all victims are identified. Passengers with bookings on the route are advised to check with their train operator before travelling.
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