Spain declares three days of mourning after high‑speed train crash kills at least 68
A collision between an Iryo express and a Renfe AVE train near Toledo left 68 dead and 77 injured, prompting Spain to declare three days of national mourning.
Key points
- Two high‑speed trains collided near Toledo, about 150 km south of Madrid.
- The Iryo train was stationary due to a signal fault when struck by the Renfe AVE train.
- Authorities reported 68 fatalities and 77 injuries among 544 passengers.
- Police and the Railway Accident Investigation Commission are questioning the control‑centre operator.
- Spain declared three days of national mourning after the disaster.
On Wednesday morning at around 9 a.m., two high‑speed trains traveling between Madrid and Seville collided near Toledo, about 150 km south of Madrid.
The collision involved an express train operated by Iryo that had been stationary because of a signal fault and a Renfe train that struck it.
There were 544 passengers on board the two services, with 147 on the Iryo train and 397 on the Renfe AVE train.
Authorities reported at least 68 people were killed and 77 injured.
Police are questioning staff at the control centre that managed traffic on the line at the time of the collision.
Transport minister Óscar Puente said the accident may have been caused by human error, noting that the control centre decided to resume traffic under circumstances he described as “inexplicable.”
The Civil Guard and the Railway Accident Investigation Commission are also questioning the control‑centre operator.
Three days of national mourning were declared following the disaster.
Your questions, answered
How many people died in the Spain train crash?
At least 68 people were killed in the collision between the Iryo express and the Renfe AVE train near Toledo.
What caused the train collision?
The Iryo train was stopped because of a signal fault, and the Renfe train struck it after the control centre resumed traffic under circumstances described as inexplicable.
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