Spain: High-speed train crash kills dozens, rescue operations ongoing

Two high speed trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided in central Spain south of Madrid. Officials warn that the death toll is likely to increase. Follow DW.

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Spanien Urda 2026 | Rettungskräfte nach dem Zusammenstoß zweier Züge am Bahnhof
At least two train carriages derailed and tumbled down an embankmentImage: Juanma Jiménez/EUROPA PRESS/dpa/picture alliance

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

  • At least 30 people have died after two high-speed trains collided near Toledo
  • The crash has caused a ‘significant number’ of injuries
  • Officials warn that casualty figures are expected to climb
  • Authorities say more than 500 people were on board the two trains

Here are the latest updates from the high-speed train crash in Spain on Wednesday, October 28:

Skip next section IN PICTURES: Spain high-speed train collision10/28/2026October 28, 2026

IN PICTURES: Spain high-speed train collision

An aerial view of the crash site after two high-speed trains collided, in Urda, Spain October 28
Up to 3 rail cars derailed and tumbled down the embankmentImage: Guardia Civil/REUTERS
Spanien Madrid 2026 | Reisende informieren sich nach Zugkollision im Bahnhof Atocha
Rail services at Madrid’s Atocha station are also facing severe delays and many cancelationsImage: Susana Vera/REUTERS
People check their smartphones at Sevilla Santa Justa train station amid train delays and cancellations following the collision of two high-speed trains between the towns of Mora and Orgaz, in Seville, Spain, October 28, 2026
Passengers are searching for alternatives after all rail services between Seville and Madrid were suspendedImage: Marcelo Del Pozo/REUTERS
Ths still image from video taken and released by Spain's Civil Guard on October 28, 2026 shows an aerial scene of a train crash between a high speed Renfe AVE train and Iryo train around 150kms south of Madrid between Urda and Los Yebenes in the province of Toledo.
A major emergency operation is underway to free people from the wreckage and treat the injuredImage: Guardia Civil/AFP
Ths still image from video taken and released by Spain's Civil Guard on October 28, 2026 shows an aerial scene of a train crash between a high speed Renfe AVE train and Iryo train around 150kms south of Madrid between Urda and Los Yebenes
The white train operated by national rail provider Renfe crashed into the stationary Iryo trainImage: Guardia Civil/AFP

https://p.dw.com/p/5Om7cSkip next section Spanish PM Sanchez ‘shocked’ by ‘serious train accident’10/28/2026October 28, 2026

Spanish PM Sanchez ‘shocked’ by ‘serious train accident’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was “shocked” by the “serious train accident” near Toledo on Wednesday morning.

He said that emergency services were on the scene to assist those affected in coordination with local administrations.

“My affection, solidarity and support to all the victims and their families,” he wrote on social media.

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlmPSkip next section Minister: ‘We are expecting this to be a major tragedy’10/28/2026October 28, 2026

Minister: ‘We are expecting this to be a major tragedy’

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia confirmed that Wednesday’s train crash was a “high-speed impact.”

She said it was too soon to confirm a final casualty figure but told local broadcaster TVE: “We are expecting this to be a major tragedy.”

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlnASkip next section Spain train crash: what do we know?10/28/2026October 28, 2026

Spain train crash: what do we know?

Images from the scene showed at least two severely damaged train carriages flipped over on their side after tumbling down an embankment.

One of the trains, operated by AVE, was reportedly carrying 397 passengers while the other, operated by IRYO, had 146 people on board, according to the Castilla-La Mancha local government spokeswoman.

A reporter for local broadcaster TVE described scenes of “absolute chaos” and a constant stream of ambulances and emergency vehicles.

The El Pais newspaper cited witnesses describing numerous injuries and ​ emergency medical teams arriving at the scene.

“All resources are currently being deployed,” spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services told the AFP news agency, including “several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units.”

In a post on social media, rail operator Adif confirmed that “traffic ​on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed rail line ​has been suspended following a rear-end collision ​between two trains.”

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlmGSkip next section Train passenger: ‘We heard a massive roar’Published 10/28/2026Published October 28, 2026last updated 10/28/2026last updated October 28, 2026

Train passenger: ‘We heard a massive roar’

A passenger on one of the trains involved in Wednesday’s deadly crash has described the moment the collision occured.

“We heard a massive roar, a truly ​enormous thud ‌that went on for 10 seconds as if the train were about to derail,” Miguel told local radio station COPE.

“Through the right-hand window, we could see a wrecked train – I imagine it must have been the other one.”

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlnFSkip next section Train collision in Spain kills at least 30, injures many10/28/2026October 28, 2026

Train collision in Spain kills at least 30, injures many

The scene of a collision between two trains in Urda, Spain
The two trains that collided were carrying hundreds of passengersImage: Juanma Jiménez/Europa Press/AP Photo/picture alliance

At least 30 people were killed in a train crash in central Spain on Wednesday morning, authorities told Spanish national news agency EFE.

“The information we are receiving is not good at all,” a spokesperson for the government of the Castilla-La Mancha region said.

“There has been a collision between two trains [and] there are injured people,” added Manuel Galans, mayor of the town of Urda in the province of Toledo, close to where the incident took place just after 9 a.m. local time.

The mayor of another nearby village, Jesus Perez of Los Yebenes, told Spanish TV that the accident appeared “serious.”

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia told national broadcaster TVE that it was a “high impact accident, it will be a major tragedy” but said it was too soon to confirm a final casualty figure.

“We don’t just need help from nearby hospitals, we need nearby hospitals that have ICU beds,” she added.

https://p.dw.com/p/5OllmSkip next section Welcome to our coverage10/28/2026October 28, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Karl Sexton

There has been a major accident in central Spain, where a high-speed train have collided with another that had stopped. 

At least 30 people have been killed and there are “a significant number” of injured, as officials say that toll is very likely to climb.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest.

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