In brief
A collision between a Renfe AVE and an Iryo train in Toledo province, Spain, has killed at least 46 people, though some reports still list 39 deaths. Two Iryo carriages derailed and many injured, the accident has prompted emergency responses and a statement from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who said he was shocked by the tragedy. The exact casualty figures and the cause of the crash remain undetermined as investigations continue.
A collision between a Renfe high‑speed train and an Iryo service in Toledo province, Spain, has left at least 46 people dead, local media reported on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The crash resulted in two Iryo carriages derailing, and witnesses said many passengers were injured.
According to Xinhua, civil protection sources relayed the updated toll to local media, while Spanish newspaper ABC confirmed the involvement of a Renfe AVE and an Iryo train in the incident.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was "shocked" by the serious collision, adding that emergency services are on the ground to assist those impacted.
"I am shocked," said Sánchez, "our duty is to help those affected."
The death count has been reported variably: Xinhua published a breakdown of the 46 fatalities, citing local media and civil protection. An earlier Xinhua flash report, also referencing local sources, listed 39 deaths. Both accounts describe the same episode of an AVE train colliding with an Iryo train in the same province but differ on the number of casualties, indicating that the official toll is still under review.
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the collision, which may involve mechanical failure, signal error, or other factors. At the time of the collision, two Iryo train carriages derailed, leading to a large number of injuries, although no specific figure has yet been released. Emergency crews and the Spanish Red Cross were on-site within minutes, conducting search and rescue operations.
Uncertainties and Conflicting Reports
While the toll of 46 is the most recent figure disseminated by local media, the earlier figure of 39 remains in circulation, and no official death toll has yet been confirmed by the Spanish transport ministry. The number of injured passengers is similarly unclear, and the exact cause of the collision has not yet been determined. Both reports confirm that the collision involved a Renfe AVE and an Iryo train, with two derailed Iryo carriages and emergency response notified, but the official investigation is still underway and will likely clarify casualty totals and causative factors.
