Emergency crews respond after two high-speed trains collide near Toledo, Spain, leaving at least 10 people dead and dozens injured. (Images: X)
Madrid: At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured after two high-speed trains collided in Spain, prompting an emergency response and the suspension of rail services along a major corridor. The crash occurred shortly after 9 am local time in the province of Toledo, near the towns of Mora, Orgaz and Urda. According to railway infrastructure manager ADIF, the accident involved trains operated by state-owned Renfe and private operator Iryo on the Madrid-Andalusia route.
The impact caused two carriages of the Iryo train to derail, a spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government said. Television footage showed a derailed train on an elevated section of track, while twisted metal, damaged panels and debris were scattered down the embankment. Images circulating online also showed badly damaged carriages lying on their sides.
ADIF announced that services on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed corridor had been suspended following the collision. Emergency personnel were deployed to assist passengers and respond to the incident.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock over what he described as a serious railway incident in Toledo. In a message posted on X, Sánchez said emergency services were working at the scene and conveyed his support to the victims and their families. He also cancelled his scheduled engagements for Wednesday. The opposition People's Party called off its campaign events following the disaster.
The collision has renewed concerns about railway safety in Spain. In January, 46 people were killed near Adamuz in Córdoba province when an Iryo train derailed and collided with an oncoming Renfe train. That disaster triggered debate over railway infrastructure investment and maintenance.
Investigations into Wednesday's collision will be crucial to establishing what caused the latest crash.
