Two High-Speed Trains Collide in Spain; Crash Kills at Least 68

Collision near Toledo

An Iryo express train was struck by a Renfe train while passengers travelled between Madrid and Andalusia. The collision happened in Toledo, according to the report. A person briefed on the disaster said the Iryo train had been stationary because of a signal fault. Transport minister Oscar Puente said a Renfe train was authorised to continue despite an active red signal, because a stationary train was ahead, contrary to protocol. The accounts describe the signal circumstances differently.

Footage showed a derailed train with several carriages still on an elevated track. Twisted metal, broken panels and wreckage were visible on the embankment below.

Passengers describe impact

Survivor Jesús Jerónimo, 54, told El Pais that the impact threw people from the train. He was travelling in carriage two, heading to Seville for work meetings as a medical consultant.

Jerónimo said he was working on his laptop when a strong acceleration sent him into the seat ahead. He and other passengers initially thought the train had derailed, then saw that it was tilted and that people were injured or shaken.

Passenger Eduarda told Cadena SER radio she first thought the train was making an emergency stop. After being thrown forward, she understood the scale of the crash when she saw injured people and was told to evacuate. She said part of the train hung down a slope and one carriage was on fire.

Response and mourning

Emergency responders, including police, ambulances and a helicopter, arrived within about 20 minutes. Eduarda said she saw people who had died after climbing down an embankment to safety.

Los Yébenes mayor Jesús Pérez Martín told RTVE that reports described extremely serious injuries. Puente said he was in contact with the transport minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha after the accident.