High-Speed Trains Collide in Central Spain, Killing 10

Two high-speed trains struck each other on the line connecting Madrid to Seville on Wednesday morning, killing at least 10 people in Toledo province. The impact knocked two carriages off the elevated track, scattering debris across the ground below. This incident marks the second major rail disaster in Spain since January, when 46 people died in the Adamuz crash.

Spain’s state rail infrastructure authority, Adif, suspended all services between Madrid and the southern region of Andalucía. A spokesperson for the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, Esther Padilla, confirmed the death toll to local media. She stated that the initial information was poor and that the number of fatalities could rise as rescue teams assessed the scene.

Footage from regional television channels showed the extent of the damage. One carriage remained on the track while twisted metal and broken panels lay strewn across the embankment. Government sources told El País that the severity of this crash could exceed that of the January disaster. The collision occurred when a moving train ran into the back of a stationary or slower service.

Local officials coordinated the immediate response to the injured. Manuel Galán, the mayor of Urda near Toledo, said emergency services asked him to prepare a local sports hall to accommodate patients. Spain’s main political parties halted their campaign activities for the day in preparation for next month’s general election.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on X that he remained in constant contact with the transport minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha. He said emergency services were working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety. He added his solidarity to all victims and their families.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the opposition People’s Party, also commented on the accident on X. He expressed concern about the new rail accident and stated that the priority was to attend to the victims and support their families. He offered full support to the emergency teams working at the site.