An eyewitness described a desperate effort to rescue passengers.
Photo Credit: Rafa Martín FB (passenger)
SPAIN, Oct 2026 -The death toll from Wednesday’s devastating collision between two high-speed trains near Urda in Toledo province has risen to 68, with more than 100 people injured.
Castilla-La Mancha regional president Emiliano García-Page confirmed the latest figure as emergency teams continued working at the scene. Of those who died, 44 were travelling on the Iryo train and 24 on the Renfe AVE service.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the crash site and pledged a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. He also announced three days of official mourning across Spain, from Thursday, October 29, to Saturday, October 31.
Two trains collide near Urda
According to Europa Press, citing the Castilla-La Mancha emergency service, the collision was reported at 8.54am at the railway station in Urda.
Spanish broadcaster laSexta reported that the incident involved an AVE train operated by Renfe and an Iryo service travelling between Madrid and Seville.
Sources from rail infrastructure manager Adif told the broadcaster that the collision occurred at around 8.30am, while the regional emergency service gave the later time.
Initial reports cited by laSexta indicated that the two rear carriages of the Iryo train had fallen down an embankment following the impact. The precise circumstances of the collision have not yet been established.
Firefighters from the Alcázar de San Juan and Orgaz stations have been sent to the scene, alongside Civil Protection teams from surrounding municipalities.
The emergency response also includes three medical helicopters and two mobile intensive care units, according to Europa Press. Adif announced that high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Andalucía had been suspended following what it described as a collision between two trains.
The disruption affects a key route connecting the Spanish capital with destinations in southern Spain. Passengers planning to travel on affected services should check the latest information from their rail operator before setting off.
Eyewitness describes desperate rescue attempts
Separate reports have included a disturbing account from a passenger who contacted a relative after the collision.
According to an account relayed by journalist Sotillos, the passenger described seeing people who had died and others trapped beneath luggage and wreckage. He reportedly said he was attempting to move obstacles to help those still alive, according to TribunaDigital7.
The conversation allegedly ended when the passenger said he needed to try to extinguish a fire that had broken out following the crash. (Euroweekly)
