Spain Train Collision: Death Toll Reportedly Rises Above 40

A devastating collision between two high-speed trains near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province has left dozens of people dead and many others injured. The accident occurred on October 28, 2026, on the high-speed railway line connecting Madrid and southern Spain. Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE initially reported at least 30 deaths before later reporting that more than 40 people had died. The death toll remains subject to confirmation by authorities.

The collision involved a Renfe AVE high-speed train and an Iryo passenger train. According to preliminary reports, the Renfe train struck the rear of an Iryo train that was stopped on the track. Approximately 397 passengers were travelling on the Renfe train, while the Iryo service was carrying around 147 passengers, including a baby. Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene to rescue passengers and assist the injured.

The death toll has varied across media reports as information from the accident site continues to emerge. RTVE reported more than 40 fatalities, while Spanish newspaper El Español reported that the number had reached at least 46, citing regional government sources. However, authorities had not announced a final official death toll in the reports available. The figures should therefore be treated as developing information rather than a confirmed final count.

Rescue workers, firefighters, Civil Guard personnel and medical teams have been involved in the emergency response. Reports indicate that several carriages derailed during the collision, with some falling down an embankment. Hospitals in the surrounding region prepared to receive injured passengers as emergency services continued their operations. The severity of the crash has also prompted political leaders to cancel scheduled engagements and express condolences to those affected.

Rail services on the high-speed route between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident, disrupting journeys across the region. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, including reports that an alternative signalling arrangement was in use because of a problem with the main protection system. A possible human error has been discussed by experts, but the precise cause has not been officially established. Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation and rescue operations progress.