In brief
On 28 October 2026, a Renfe AVE train struck a stationary Iryo high‑speed carriage near Urda, Toledo, Spain, killing 68 and injuring about 100. Two South Korean passengers suffered injuries, one minor and the other still hospitalized. Spain’s authorities are investigating signalling failures and a possible rail‑control error.
On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, a high‑speed train collision near Urda in Toledo province, south of Madrid, stranded 68 dead and left roughly 100 injured, including two South Korean nationals. The incident involved a Renfe AVE train traveling from Madrid to Seville and an Iryo high‑speed carriage that had stopped on the line.
The crash derailed two carriages, dislodging them from the track and causing severe damage to both trains. Media reports estimate that roughly 80 passengers were injured, with about 50 in serious condition and 15 in critical condition, according to regional government spokesman Esther Padilla.
Among the injured were two South Korean nationals. Seoul’s foreign ministry confirmed that one passenger sustained minor injuries, was treated at a hospital, and was discharged, while the other remains hospitalized. The ministry said it “maintains close contact with local authorities and is continuing to check for any additional Korean casualties.”
Spanish authorities immediately launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Reports from UPI described a “computer failure” that initially halted six moving trains, including the two that collided. Transport minister Oscar Puente said a control centre decision allowed the Renfe train to depart without speed restrictions despite a red signal, which he called an “inexplicable” error.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking from Urda, declared a three‑day period of national mourning from 29 to 31 October and warned that “if there was negligence, it will be revealed, and if there were system failures, there will be a strong response.” He added that Spain had suffered two train accidents in the same year, “but the causes of the two crashes appeared unrelated.”
Union representatives have called for the resignation of transport officials involved in the incident. The trade union CSIF said it demanded that the government “respect the investigation and the presumption of innocence” for the head of traffic at Adif, citing concerns over the working conditions of Adif employees.
International leaders have also expressed condolences. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with Vice Presidents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent messages to King Felipe VI and the Spanish public wishing a speedy recovery for the injured and expressing grief for the victims.
Kyodo News reported that two Japanese nationals “may have been on the trains involved,” with foreign‑minister officials checking on their safety. The metropolitan government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs listed the names of the suspected passengers on the train lists but did not confirm their presence.
While the details of what precipitated the collision remain unresolved, sources agree that a signal failure or control‑center decision played a key role. The Spanish transport ministry has not yet determined whether negligence or a system error caused the tragedy, and it has urged investigators to examine signal and rail‑control logs.
