More than 179 people have been injured after a high-speed train reportedly slammed into a stationary train near Toledo
At least 46 people have been killed and more than 179 injured after two high-speed trains collided near Toledo, Spain, according to local media citing Civil Protection authorities.
The crash occurred at 8:54 AM local time on Wednesday between the towns of Los Yebenes and Urda, around 120 km south of Madrid, on the high-speed line linking the Spanish capital with Andalusia. A Renfe AVE train reportedly struck an Iryo train from behind, sending two carriages off the tracks and down an embankment, according to rail infrastructure operator Adif.
The Renfe train, manufactured by Siemens, was carrying 147 passengers after departing Madrid for Seville at 8 AM. The Iryo, built by Hitachi, had 397 people aboard and was traveling in the opposite direction, according to El Espanol.
The Iryo train was reportedly stationary when the collision occurred. Railway sources said human error may have been responsible, though the cause has not been officially established.
According to El Espanol, the collision occurred while the railway was operating under a backup signaling system after a malfunction disabled its normal automatic train control system, which is designed to prevent dangerous situations, including collisions.
Images shared online show overturned and badly damaged carriages, with emergency crews working at the scene. Three medical helicopters and two mobile intensive care units have been deployed.
Castilla-La Mancha regional President Emiliano Garcia-Page has requested assistance from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME). Adif has suspended high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Andalusia. Iryo said it activated all emergency protocols.
The disaster comes just nine months after another collision involving Renfe and Iryo trains near Adamuz in the southern province of Cordoba killed 46 people. Investigators identified a broken section of track as the likely cause of the accident, although the investigation is ongoing.
The full extent of the casualties and the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s collision are under investigation.
