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AT least 68 people were killed and 58 were receiving hospital treatment after a high-speed train struck the rear of another stationary train in central Spain on Wednesday, in the country’s second deadly rail collision this year.
The collision occurred near Urda in Toledo province, involving trains operated by state-owned RENFE and private company IRYO, both travelling south from Madrid towards Seville.
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente said a computer malfunction had disabled a safety system along a 63km stretch of track, forcing trains in the affected section to stop before a central command centre instructed the RENFE train to resume running without speed restrictions.
Puente said the train should not have been authorised to move while a stop signal remained active and should, at the very least, have been instructed to travel at a reduced speed.
Authorities were still investigating the train’s speed at the time of the collision, although it could have been travelling at 200kph, Puente said. He added that the train drivers were not to blame, while stressing that he was not assigning responsibility to anyone.
AP reported on Thursday that the crash derailed two carriages at the rear of the IRYO train and the front of the RENFE train, leaving wreckage scattered across a gravel slope amid surrounding olive fields.
Authorities said 397 passengers were aboard the RENFE train and 147 on the IRYO train. Rescue workers searched the wreckage for survivors and victims throughout the day, while ambulances, medical helicopters and a military emergency brigade assisted the response.
The disaster came nine months after another deadly collision involving high-speed trains operated by the same two companies in southern Spain in January.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who visited the crash site, announced that the government would declare three days of national mourning and called for stronger safety measures to restore public confidence in the country’s high-speed rail network.
“It is unacceptable for a country like Spain to suffer two high-speed rail accidents in the same year,” Sánchez said.
Rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia were suspended following the collision.
Survivors described the impact as sudden and devastating, with luggage and mobile phones thrown through the carriages and passengers struggling to escape through windows.
British tourist Samy Paul, who was rescued from the RENFE train, told The Associated Press that the carriages had been smashed apart, with blood visible throughout the wreckage.
King Felipe VI also visited the scene, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed condolences to the victims’ families and support for those injured.
“My heart goes out to the victims’ families and loved ones. Today, Europe mourns with you,” she said.
Wisma Putra Checks For Malaysians After Deadly Collision
Wisma Putra is checking whether any Malaysians were involved in a deadly collision between two high-speed trains in Spain, which reportedly killed at least 68 people and injured dozens.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the Malaysian Embassy in Madrid had yet to receive confirmation of any Malaysians being affected by the crash near Urda, in Toledo province.
“The embassy is in contact with the Spanish authorities and the relevant train operators to establish whether any Malaysians were among the passengers involved and to coordinate consular assistance if required,” it said.
The collision occurred at about 8.54am local time on Wednesday, involving two passenger trains travelling from Madrid towards Seville, according to the statement.
Emergency rescue operations were continuing, while high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia had been suspended following the incident.
The ministry advised Malaysians travelling in Spain, particularly those planning to use affected rail services, to check directly with the relevant operators for the latest updates and make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.
Malaysians who may have been affected, or anyone with information about Malaysian passengers potentially involved, were urged to contact the embassy to assist with verification and the provision of consular support.
Malaysians living in or travelling to Spain were also encouraged to register and keep their contact details updated through the e-Konsular portal.
For urgent consular assistance, the embassy can be reached through its 24-hour emergency line at +34 659 894 943. General enquiries can be directed to +34 91 555 0684 or +34 91 555 0737, or by email at [mwmadrid@kln.gov.my](mailto:mwmadrid@kln.gov.my).
Wisma Putra said it would continue monitoring the situation and issue further updates if necessary. - October 29, 2026
