In brief
Two high‑speed trains collided near Urda on the Madrid‑Andalusia line, killing at least 50–64 people and injuring 80–179. The accident involved a Renfe locomotive striking a stationary Iryo train, and spurred a suspension of services, emergency responses, and political condolences. Sources differ on the death toll and number of wounded, and the precise circumstances of the collision remain unclear.
At least 50 people were killed and 179 injured when a Renfe state‑owned high‑speed train collided with a stationary Iryo private train near Urda station in Toledo province, Spain, on 28 October 2026, Xinhua reported, while the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said 64 people were dead and at least 80 wounded.
Sources say the crash occurred at about 8:54 a.m. local time (0754 GMT) on the Madrid‑Andalusia line, just 120 km south of Madrid. The Renfe train struck the rear of the Iryo train, which had been temporarily stopped on the track for undisclosed reasons. Two carriages of the Renfe locomotive derailed and fell into an embankment, according to both accounts.
The differing casualty figures illustrate the uncertainty surrounding the incident. Xinhua cited at least 50 deaths and 179 injuries, while SPA reported 64 deaths and 80 injuries. Both sources confirm that the number of injuries exceeds 70, but the exact count remains unverified across Spanish communications.
The Chinese Embassy confirmed that four Chinese nationals were aboard the trains at the time of the collision; Xinhua reported that at least one of them sustained a minor injury. No further details were given by SPA about foreign passengers.
Following the crash, Spanish railway infrastructure manager Adif suspended all services on the Madrid‑Andalusia route. Spanish political parties cancelled scheduled activities, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted a message of condolence, writing,
Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo.He added that emergency services were on the ground to assist those affected. Rescue operations were described by Adif and SPA as ongoing, with search and recovery teams working in the crash site.
The collision comes nine months after a similar high‑speed train crash near Adamuz in Córdoba that killed 46 people. Both incidents involve Renfe and Iryo operating on the same line, raising questions about safety protocols and maintenance practices. The differing preliminary figures and the lack of a formal investigative report leave many details unresolved. Uncertainties remain over which casualty count is accurate, the exact cause of the stationary Iryo train, the state of the tracks, and the effectiveness of emergency responses.
