At least 64 people were killed when a Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo service near Toledo, Spain, on Wednesday, as investigators examined preliminary reports that the moving train had been authorised to pass a red signal.
The Castilla-La Mancha regional government confirmed the death toll, according to The Associated Press, superseding earlier figures. Regional President Emiliano García-Page reported at least 80 injuries. The two trains carried 544 passengers between them.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:54 a.m. near Urda on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line. Several carriages derailed, with emergency services reporting that at least two went down an embankment.
Cadena SER, citing government sources, reported that the Renfe AVE train had received permission to proceed despite a stop indication. Investigators have not confirmed that account or established whether such an instruction contributed to the crash.
El País separately reported that an operator at Madrid's Atocha control centre may have mistakenly authorised the Renfe service to continue. According to that preliminary account, several trains had stopped following a signalling malfunction, but the Iryo train remained stationary after other services resumed their journeys.
State broadcaster RTVE reported that an alternative signalling system was operating because of a problem with the primary LZB train-protection system. Infrastructure operator Adif has not publicly confirmed the alleged authorisation or assigned responsibility.
Regional government spokesperson Esther Padilla told TVE that both trains were travelling from Madrid toward Seville when one struck the rear of the other. She said 397 passengers were aboard the Renfe service and 147 aboard the Iryo train.
"We heard a massive roar, a truly enormous thud that went on for 10 seconds, as if the train were about to derail," a passenger identified as Miguel told COPE radio. He said he was travelling with colleagues in the rear carriage of one train.
Another passenger, Eduarda, told Cadena SER that the impact threw her forward. After descending an embankment, she saw part of the train hanging down the slope and a carriage on fire.
Firefighters, Civil Guard officers, medical teams and civil protection personnel joined the rescue operation. Castilla-La Mancha activated its regional emergency plan at 9:15 a.m. and subsequently escalated its response.
Urda Mayor Manuel Galan said emergency services had asked him to prepare a sports hall for injured passengers. Authorities established a telephone line for families, while blood banks appealed for donations.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled scheduled engagements and said the national government was coordinating assistance with regional authorities.
"My heartfelt sympathy, solidarity, and support go out to all the victims and their families," Sánchez wrote on X.
Adif suspended high-speed services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia. Renfe offered affected travellers free ticket changes and cancellations.
The collision follows another fatal accident involving Renfe and Iryo services on the Madrid-Seville corridor in January, when a derailment led to a collision near Adamuz. No evidence has established a common cause.
Spanish political parties announced a brief suspension of campaigning before next month's general election. The national football federation also said some Copa del Rey fixtures would be postponed.
