Spain declares three days of mourning after high‑speed train crash kills at least 68

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.