Two High-Speed Trains Collide in Central Spain, Killing At Least 10

Two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday morning, killing at least 10 people and derailing two carriages. The accident occurred between the towns of Mora and Orgaz in Toledo province, just after 9 a.m. local time. State railway infrastructure manager ADIF confirmed that the Madrid-Andalusia line has been suspended as a result of the crash.

Esther Padilla, spokeswoman for the Castilla La Mancha region, stated that the current death toll is likely to increase. A government spokesperson told Reuters that two Iryo wagons left the tracks during the impact. The specific cause of the collision and the final number of injured passengers are still under investigation.

ADIF identified the two trains involved as a Renfe service and an Iryo service, both traveling from Madrid to Seville. The Iryo train was traveling from the capital to the southern region when the impact occurred. Emergency services responded immediately to the scene to manage the aftermath.

Manuel Galan, the mayor of Urda, a town near Toledo, told Spanish state broadcaster TVE that emergency services asked him to prepare a local sports hall. The facility will be used to accommodate injured passengers waiting for treatment or transport to hospitals.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on X that he was deeply saddened by the serious train accident. He added that emergency services are working on-site to assist those affected and ensure their safety in coordination with relevant authorities. Sanchez expressed heartfelt sympathy and support for the victims and their families.

The Toledo province crash follows a deadly incident in January when 45 people died in southern Spain. That previous crash involved a train jumping the track and hitting an oncoming train, making it the deadliest in Spain since 2013. In 2013, a similar accident killed 80 people.

Spain operates the largest high-speed rail network in Europe for trains moving at speeds exceeding 155 mph. According to the European Union, the network contains more than 1,900 miles of track. The Madrid-Andalusia line remains closed while authorities assess the damage and continue rescue operations.