The number of fatalities from the collision between two high-speed trains in Urda, Toledo has reached 64, with 40 victims on the Iryo and 24 on the Renfe AVE, as confirmed by the President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, from the Advanced Command Post established in the area, according to Europa Press.
This represents a significant increase from the initial report of 46 deaths released shortly after the incident. The updated count emerged after rescue teams accessed the Iryo train cars, which had been crushed in the crash.
García-Page detailed the grim statistics, stating, "In the Iryo section, where we initially counted six fatalities, we have now discovered 34, with six more confirmed still inside the car."
The regional president warned that the number could continue to climb: "We're talking about approximately 64, but it's likely to rise further." Clearly shaken, he added, "It's a tragedy of immense proportions."
Details on the Injured and Hospitalization
Regional government spokesperson Esther Padilla clarified that of the 80 injured, 50 are in serious condition and 30 have minor injuries. The injured have been distributed among various hospitals: at least 29 at the General University Hospital of Toledo, 20 at the Mancha Centro in Alcázar de San Juan, four at the General Hospital of Ciudad Real, one at the General Hospital of Albacete, and three have been transferred to hospitals in Madrid.
The collision occurred shortly before 9 a.m. when a Renfe AVE, carrying 397 passengers, rear-ended an Iryo train that was stationary with 147 passengers at kilometer 118 of the Madrid-Seville high-speed line, between Los Yébenes and Urda.
Jorge Guales, a survivor from the Iryo, described the impact's severity: "The last two cars were shredded, like tearing paper. It's terrifying."
Investigation and Government Response
Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Óscar Puente addressed the media from the Adif control center in Atocha, explaining the sequence of events. According to his account, at 8:30 a.m., the automatic signaling system (LZB) failed due to a communication error over a 63-kilometer stretch, halting six trains. Six minutes later, the control center inexplicably authorized the AVE to resume its journey, despite the track being occupied and the signal showing red.
"The system failed at 8:30, and by 8:36, the decision was made to proceed," Puente summarized, labeling the decision as "inexplicable" and noting it violated regulations requiring a maximum speed of 40 km/h. The AVE traveled about 20 kilometers at speeds potentially reaching 200 km/h before colliding with the stationary Iryo.
Puente dismissed calls for his resignation and attributed the catastrophe to human error: "I'm not considering that right now," he responded when questioned about stepping down.
The Civil Guard and officials from the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF) questioned the Adif control center operator managing traffic at the time of the accident. Adif has suspended all high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.
Emergency Measures and Political Reactions
The regional government activated the Castilla-La Mancha Territorial Emergency Plan (PLATECAM) at Operational Situation 2 and requested the involvement of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which deployed 200 personnel to the site. A toll-free line (900 122 112) was set up for relatives of those affected, and psychological support points were established in Atocha, Sevilla-Santa Justa, Córdoba, and Urda's school.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez canceled his schedule to travel to Urda to assess the situation firsthand. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) reported that its president, Fátima Báñez, was aboard the ill-fated Iryo train, and her whereabouts remain unknown as of the latest available updates.
This marks the second major disaster on Spain's high-speed rail network in under a year: In January 2026, a crash in Adamuz, Córdoba resulted in approximately 46 fatalities, including a Cuban citizen residing in Huelva.
Key Questions About the Spain Train Crash
What caused the train collision in Urda?
The collision was caused by a failure in the automatic signaling system, which led to a Renfe AVE train rear-ending a stationary Iryo train.
How many people were injured in the train accident?
The accident resulted in at least 80 injuries, with 50 considered serious and 30 minor.
What actions has the Spanish government taken following the crash?
The government activated the emergency plan, suspended high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Andalusia, and deployed emergency personnel to assist at the crash site.