Spanish PM, facing reelection, says it's 'unacceptable' to suffer two high-speed rail accidents in one year as at least 68 die in collision | Fortune

Collision in Toledo province

The crash happened Wednesday morning on a stretch of track in central Spain. ADIF said two trains carrying hundreds of passengers were traveling south from Madrid toward Seville when the RENFE train struck the rear of a stopped IRYO train.

Rescue and mourning

Castilla La Mancha’s regional government confirmed at least 68 deaths and said 58 people were receiving treatment in hospitals. Rescue teams searched the wreckage for survivors and bodies throughout the day; emergency crews used ambulances and medical helicopters, and a military emergency brigade was sent to assist.

Sánchez spoke at the crash site and said the government would declare three days of mourning. Spain’s royals expressed sympathy for those killed and support for injured people and others affected.

Minister describes safety failure

Puente said a computer malfunction caused a security system on a 63-kilometer stretch to stop working at 8:30 a.m., halting trains there. He said central command then ordered the RENFE train to move without speed restrictions, and it hit the stationary IRYO train at 8:53 a.m.

According to Puente, an active stop signal meant the train should not have been allowed to move; if it did, it should have been instructed to travel more slowly. Authorities were still examining its speed, which Puente said may have reached 200 kph. He said he was stating the facts, not assigning blame.

Renewed scrutiny of rail safety

Survivors and a nearby worker described the force of the impact and efforts to help people escape. Passenger Ignacio Relaño said the train slowed before the crash, while construction worker David Gómez said he and others used first-aid kits until emergency services arrived.