In brief
A collision between a Renfe AVE and a stationary Iryo train near Urda killed 68 people and injured around 100. Two South Korean nationals suffered injuries: one with minor bruises and the other still in hospital. Investigations point to a possible rail‑control error, and Spanish officials have declared three days of mourning.
A high‑speed train collided with a stationary carriage on the Madrid‑Seville line near Urda, Toledo province, killing at least 68 people and injuring about 100 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Two South Korean nationals were among the injured: one sustained minor injuries and was discharged after treatment, while the other remains hospitalized, according to the Korean foreign ministry.
Crash details and investigation
The collision involved a Renfe AVE train traveling from Madrid to Seville and a stationary Iryo train, both carrying more than 500 passengers. A search of the passenger lists identified 11 South Korean nationals aboard the trains, as reported by the ministry. The accident caused two rear carriages to derail and roll onto an embankment.
Initial statements from Spain’s transport minister Oscar Puente suggested that a rail‑control center cleared the following train to move despite a red signal and that a computer failure had halted six trains on a 40‑mile stretch of track. Puente called the control centre’s decision a “clear and inexplicable error” but did not directly attribute the crash to that failure. The UPI investigation focuses on traffic controllers and automatic safety systems, citing audio recordings that show a high‑speed train being cleared to proceed though a stalled train lay ahead.
Al Jazeera reports that the incident occurred early on Wednesday, with the crash causing the rear of a stationary train to be struck at speed, derailing two carriages. Spanish police and emergency units have been searching the wreckage for survivors, and more than 300 personnel were on the scene. Spanish officials have declared three days of national mourning from October 29 to 31.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez spoke from the crash site, stating that Spain is in mourning and that the investigation would uncover whether negligence or system failures were involved. He warned that “what is unacceptable is for a country such as Spain to suffer two train accidents in the same year,” although he said the causes of the two crashes appeared unrelated.
Reports from Kyodo News add that two Japanese nationals may have been aboard the trains, as their names appeared on passenger lists; the Japanese foreign ministry is checking on their safety.
South Korea’s embassy in Spain said it was maintaining close contact with local authorities and continuing to monitor additional Korean casualties. The embassy also noted that one Korean passenger was discharged after treatment, whereas the other remained hospitalized.
International condolences have mounted. The United Arab Emirates’ president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al‑Nahyan, and his vice presidents sent messages to King Felipe VI and Spanish officials, expressing sorrow and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a cable of condolences to King Felipe VI. Additionally, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no Bulgarian nationals were injured.
Spanish emergency services remain active, with fire and police teams and medical personnel combing broken rails and shattered carriage sections. A central command coordinated radio communications with the national transportation agency while forensic teams analysed the wreckage for signs of life.
The crash has sparked calls from Spanish trade unions, including CSIF, for the resignation of transport minister Oscar Puente after his remarks about the control centre’s actions. Protesters also clashed with police in Madrid demanding accountability from government officials linked to the incident.
Both the UPI and Al Jazeera reports highlight that Monday’s earlier crash in Spain killed 43 people, marking a second major high‑speed train accident in the country this year.
Sources have yet to determine the exact cause of the collision, and the investigation continues to explore whether a computer failure, uncontrolled speed, or human error contributed to the accident. The international community remains alert to additional information as the inquiry proceeds, and the Spanish authorities have urged for a thorough review of railway safety measures.
The uncertainty surrounding the chain of events remains: investigators are still verifying whether the train was cleared after a red signal or if a system error caused the clearance, and whether additional safety protocols can prevent a recurrence.
