At least 64 people have been killed after a devastating collision between two high-speed trains in central Spain on Wednesday, according to the latest reports, as emergency crews continue searching the wreckage for victims and helping injured passengers.
The crash occurred near Urda, in Toledo province, on the high-speed railway corridor connecting Madrid with Seville and other destinations in southern Spain. One of the trains was operated by Renfe, Spain’s state-owned railway company, while the other belonged to private rail operator Iryo.
Initial reports indicate that the Renfe train struck the rear of the Iryo train, which had stopped on the line. The impact caused several carriages to derail, with some wreckage falling down an embankment beside the elevated railway track.
The collision triggered a large-scale emergency response involving firefighters, police officers, ambulance crews and other rescue personnel. Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene to evacuate survivors, treat the injured and search damaged carriages where passengers may have remained trapped.
The death toll increased as rescue operations progressed, with authorities warning that the situation remained serious. Numerous passengers were reported injured, and those requiring medical attention were being transported to hospitals in the surrounding region.
Both trains were carrying hundreds of passengers. Early information indicated that approximately 397 people were aboard the Renfe service, while the Iryo train was carrying about 147 passengers, including a baby. The full number of casualties and the identities of those killed had not been completely established in the initial reports.
What caused the collision?
The precise cause of the disaster remains under investigation.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the Iryo train had stopped following a signalling or traffic-related problem. Information provided to reporters suggested that the Renfe train was subsequently authorised to continue before striking the stationary train. Investigators will need to establish the sequence of communications, the condition of the signalling systems and the circumstances surrounding the movement of both trains before determining responsibility.
Renfe has indicated that the circumstances of the collision must be established through a formal investigation. Authorities have not issued a definitive conclusion about what caused the crash, and early explanations should not be treated as confirmed findings.
Rail services suspended
Rail traffic on the high-speed route connecting Madrid and Andalusia was suspended following the collision. The disruption affected services travelling through the corridor, leaving passengers facing cancellations and delays while emergency operations and initial investigations continued.
Rail infrastructure manager Adif announced that the line was closed and that assistance points had been established at major stations, including Madrid-Atocha, Seville-Santa Justa and Córdoba. Renfe and Iryo also provided telephone contacts for passengers and relatives seeking information about those affected.
The suspension is expected to remain in place while authorities assess the damage and determine when it is safe to resume services.
Investigation continues
The disaster has prompted renewed concern over railway safety in Spain, which experienced another deadly rail accident earlier in 2026. Investigators will examine the trains, track infrastructure, signalling equipment and operational records to determine how the collision occurred and whether any safety procedures failed.
For families awaiting news of loved ones, the immediate priority remains identifying victims and confirming the condition of passengers who were taken to hospitals.
As rescue teams continue working at the scene, the full human toll of the Renfe-Iryo collision is still being assessed. Authorities are expected to release further information as victims are identified and investigators establish more details about the events leading up to the crash.
