Two High-Speed Trains Collide in Toledo Province, Killing at Least 10

Two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people. The crash occurred just after 9 a.m. Local time between the towns of Mora and Orgaz in Toledo province. Spanish officials described the incident as a serious accident involving state-owned rail infrastructure.

Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for the Castilla La Mancha region, stated that the death count would likely increase. She told reporters, “That number will surely rise.” ADIF, the agency managing Spain’s state-owned railway infrastructure, confirmed the collision involved a Renfe train and an Iryo company train. Both vehicles were traveling from Madrid to Seville at the time of the impact.

The collision caused two Iryo wagons to derail, according to a government spokesperson for the Castilla La Mancha region. The spokesperson said that investigators are still determining the cause of the crash and the total number of people killed and injured. The accident forced the suspension of the rail line connecting Madrid to the southern Andalusia region.

Local officials moved quickly to accommodate injured passengers. Manuel Galan, the mayor of Urda, told Spanish state broadcaster TVE that emergency services requested he prepare a local sports hall. The facility was set up to house those affected by the derailment. Emergency crews remained on site to assist victims and coordinate with relevant authorities.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reacted to the news via social media. He said he was deeply saddened by the serious train accident in Toledo. Sanchez posted on X that emergency services are working to ensure the safety of those affected. He extended his sympathy and solidarity to the victims and their families.

The crash adds to a recent history of rail disasters in the country. In January, a train in southern Spain jumped the track and struck an oncoming train, killing 45 people. That incident was the deadliest in Spain since a 2013 crash that claimed 80 lives. The European Union reports that Spain operates the largest high-speed rail network in Europe, with more than 1,900 miles of track capable of speeds exceeding 155 mph.