Spain train collision kills 46 as two high-speed trains crash in Toledo

At least 46 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday morning, Spanish media outlet ABC reported, in a major rail disaster that has disrupted services connecting Madrid with southern parts of the country.

The collision occurred at around 8.54am local time near Urda, in the province of Toledo, on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed railway line. The trains involved were operated by state-owned Renfe and private operator Iryo.

According to preliminary reports, a Renfe AVE train struck the rear of an Iryo train, causing two carriages to derail. Reports from the scene indicated that some carriages went down an embankment, leaving wreckage scattered across the area.

Rail services suspended as emergency teams respond

Spain’s rail infrastructure operator Adif announced that traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line had been suspended following the collision. Services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia remained halted until further notice.

Footage broadcast by regional channel Castilla-La Mancha Television showed a derailed train, with at least one carriage still perched on an elevated section of track. Mangled metal and shattered panels could be seen scattered down the embankment.

Emergency services, including firefighters, medical teams and helicopters, were deployed to the accident site to assist the injured and evacuate passengers. The regional government of Castilla-La Mancha activated its emergency response plan, while authorities worked to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties.

Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, said 147 people were travelling on the Iryo train, while the Renfe AVE service was carrying 397 passengers. This put the combined number of passengers aboard the two trains at 544.

Renfe also announced arrangements for affected passengers to change or cancel their tickets as authorities dealt with the disruption.

Human error suspected, investigation underway

Sources in Spain’s Transport Ministry told ABC that human error may have contributed to the collision. According to the initial account, an employee of Adif was reportedly working to repair a fault in the main signalling system and is suspected of failing to warn the Renfe AVE train about the Iryo train ahead.

However, the precise circumstances leading to the crash have not been conclusively established, and the suspected signalling failure and possible human error remain subject to investigation.

Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported that the incident involved two high-speed trains travelling along the same railway corridor. Preliminary accounts indicated that the Renfe train hit the rear of the Iryo service, causing two carriages to leave the tracks.

The crash occurred between Los Yébenes and Urda, near the section of track linking Mora and Orgaz. Authorities were continuing their response as details about the accident emerged.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expresses shock

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed shock over the collision and said he was in contact with the country’s Transport Minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha.

“Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo. I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha,” Sanchez wrote in a post on X.

He added that emergency services were working at the scene to help those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The accident comes amid heightened scrutiny of railway safety in Spain, with investigators expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision and any possible technical or operational failures.

Fresh concerns after deadly Adamuz crash

The Toledo collision occurred around nine months after another high-speed rail disaster near Adamuz, in the province of Córdoba, killed 46 people.

The January 2026 accident involved an Iryo train travelling from Málaga to Madrid and a Renfe Alvia service heading in the opposite direction. The Iryo train derailed, and its carriages collided with the oncoming Renfe train.

That crash prompted questions about railway maintenance and whether sufficient funding had been allocated to the network in recent years. Investigators have also examined possible infrastructure problems in connection with the Adamuz disaster.

The latest collision involving trains operated by the same two companies has renewed concerns about the safety of Spain’s high-speed rail network. Investigators will now seek to establish what caused Wednesday’s crash and whether signalling, infrastructure or operational failures played a role.