This developing report will be updated throughout the day.
Latest update: 12 noon, Wednesday 28 October.
At least 30 people have died after a RENFE AVE train collided with an Iryo service near Urda station in Toledo province on Wednesday morning, sources in the Castilla-La Mancha regional government told Spanish news agency EFE. They described the provisional death toll as ‘a minimum’.
Firefighters were completing the recovery of bodies from the wreckage, the same sources said. The number of injured remained unknown.
The trains were travelling south from Madrid towards Seville when the RENFE service struck the rear of the Iryo train, derailing its two rearmost carriages and sending them down an embankment. The collision closed the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line in both directions.
What is known about the collision
The accident happened near kilometre 118 of the high-speed railway, close to Urda in Castilla-La Mancha. RENFE identified the services involved as AVE 02080 and Iryo 6076.
Regional government spokeswoman Esther Padilla told TVE that the Iryo train had stopped before it was struck by the following service. Both trains were carrying passengers from the capital to Seville.
‘A high-speed train has struck another from behind while travelling south; they were heading to Andalusia,’ infrastructure manager Adif said in its initial account.
Early reports gave differing times for the collision. Adif initially placed it at approximately 8.30am, while emergency service sources quoted by the Europa Press news agency gave a time of 8.54am.
According to passenger figures attributed to the regional government, 397 people were aboard the RENFE train and 147 aboard the Iryo service, including a baby – a combined total of 544.
RENFE initially reported that the 112 emergency service had been unable to contact the driver of its train.
‘The two rear carriages of the Iryo are derailed and 112 cannot contact the driver of train 2080 ADIF,’ its statement said.
Rescue operation and treatment of the injured
Emergency crews concentrated their efforts on the most severely damaged carriages as injured passengers were taken to hospitals in the surrounding area.
Spanish Health Minister Mónica García told TVE that teams were working to recover survivors and bodies from the two worst-hit carriages.
‘It was a high-speed impact, so we are expecting this to be a tragedy,’ she said.
The response brought together Guardia Civil officers, firefighters, Civil Protection volunteers and medical personnel from Castilla-La Mancha’s health service, SESCAM. Three medical helicopters and two mobile intensive care units were among the resources deployed, according to emergency service sources.
The regional government activated its territorial emergency plan, Platecam, at 9.15am, initially declaring Operational Situation 1 in Toledo province. Medical teams were establishing an advanced treatment post at the scene.
Nearby communities were also asked to help accommodate those affected.
‘There has been a rear-end collision between two trains and people have been injured. Civil Protection has asked us to make a sports pavilion available in case they need to use it,’ Urda mayor Manuel Galán told TVE’s La Hora de La 1.
Jesús Pérez, mayor of neighbouring Los Yébenes, described the limited information available to local officials during the early response.
‘I am being told that it is a serious accident. But I don’t have much more information,’ he told the programme.
Cause of the crash remains unclear
Padilla said the cause of the collision was not known.
The initial accounts described a rear-end impact involving two trains travelling in the same direction. They did not establish why the following train reached the section occupied by the Iryo service.
Iryo said it had ‘activated its security protocols and is closely working with authorities’.
Rail disruption and assistance for passengers
Adif suspended traffic on the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line in both directions, affecting services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and southern Spain.
RENFE introduced free ticket changes and cancellations for passengers whose journeys were affected by the closure.
The operator also activated its assistance plan for railway accident victims and their relatives, opening a dedicated telephone line on 900 101 020.
Sánchez and regional leaders cancel engagements
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez suspended his engagements following the crash, as political leaders expressed condolences and support for the emergency response.
‘Dismayed by the serious train accident in Toledo. I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García Page. The emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the administrations involved. My affection, solidarity and support go out to all the victims and their families,’ Sánchez wrote on X.
Castilla-La Mancha president Emiliano García-Page said he was travelling to the scene and following developments ‘with attention and concern’.
‘Both I and the rest of my government are suspending our engagements,’ he announced.
People’s Party (PP) leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also voiced concern.
‘Very concerned by the information we are receiving about another railway accident. The priority now is to attend to the victims and support their families. All my support goes to the emergency teams working on the ground,’ he wrote.
Second major rail disaster this year
The collision comes nine months after the disaster at Adamuz in Córdoba (Andalusia), where an Iryo train derailed, leaving rear carriages in the path of an approaching Renfe Alvia service. 45 people died in the crash.
The Adamuz disaster was Spain’s deadliest railway accident since the 2013 derailment that killed 80 people, and prompted renewed scrutiny of safety on the country’s extensive high-speed network.
ALSO READ: Sánchez: Spain’s rail network is ‘not perfect but safe’, vows ‘justice will be done’ for victims’ families.
We will be updating this report throughout the day.
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VIDEO | Al menos 30 personas han fallecido este miércoles en el accidente ferroviario ocurrido cerca de la estación de Urda (Toledo), entre un Ave y un Iryo, han informado a EFE fuentes del Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, que han considerado esa cifra como “un mínimo”. https://t.co/p5nNHPqyVz
— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) October 28, 2026
⚠️ACCIDENTE URDA: Renfe ha habilitado el teléfono 𝟵𝟬𝟬 𝟭𝟬 𝟭𝟬 𝟮𝟬, dentro del Plan de Asistencia a las Víctimas de Accidentes Ferroviarios y sus Familiares. Rogamos que para cualquier otra gestión o petición de información se evite llamar a este número.
— Renfe (@Renfe) October 28, 2026
ℹ️ RENFE INFORMA: Comunicado sobre el accidente entre Los Yébenes y Urda (Toledo). https://t.co/O9e6AiQrSt
— Renfe (@Renfe) October 28, 2026
ÚLTIMA HORA 🔴 Varios fallecidos y decenas de heridos al colisionar dos trenes en Urda, Toledo. Se ha habilitado el número de teléfono para atender a familiares 900 10 10 20 https://t.co/nrlsc6K8Za
— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) October 28, 2026
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