The release of audio recordings from conversations between the Adif Regulation and Control Center in Atocha and the engineers of the two trains involved in the tragic collision in Urda, Toledo, marks a significant update this Wednesday. According to the provisional report from Castilla-La Mancha's 112 service, updated around 4:00 PM Spanish time, 68 bodies have been recovered, and 77 individuals are reported injured with varying degrees of severity.
Both Cadena SER and elDiario.es published transcripts of these conversations starting at 9:00 PM Spanish time, though no independent verification of these recordings has been made so far.
Based on these transcripts, at 8:31 AM, the Renfe AVE train driver (train 2080) contacted Atocha to report a failure in the LZB safety system, which had been disrupted due to an issue at the Urda central station, leaving the train at a standstill, referred to as "meta zero."
During a perplexing exchange — where the operator consulted with colleagues and gave conflicting instructions about disconnecting and reconnecting the system — at 8:36 AM, the control center issued an order, reportedly contrary to protocol, according to sources referenced by both media outlets: “Train 2080 driver, disconnect and reconnect the LZB, and proceed normally under BSL.”
Protocol dictated that in such circumstances, "proceed with caution" should be instructed, limiting speed to a maximum of 40 kilometers per hour.
Details and Consequences of the Incident
Meanwhile, the Iryo train driver (train 6076) contacted Atocha at 8:41 AM to report a "loss of transmission with a meta speed of 40" and that she was "stopped at the Urda entrance signal."
The control center gave the same directive: disconnect and reconnect the LZB and proceed with "normal speed."
However, at 8:48 AM, according to elDiario.es's investigation, the Iryo driver called back to explain she was unable to reset the system and remained stationary before the entrance signal.
The operator instructed her to proceed when possible and to call if further issues arose.
Six minutes later, at 8:54 AM, the AVE — having traveled approximately 20 to 26 kilometers since authorization, potentially at speeds up to 200 km/h — collided with the stationary Iryo train.
The transcripts reveal that the control center was aware the Iryo remained stopped on the track while the AVE was heading towards it, yet there is no record of any warning given to the Renfe train driver about this situation.
Casualty Figures and Official Reactions
Regarding the casualty count, the president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, noted that four of the 68 bodies were still trapped within the wreckage of the rail cars and warned that the death toll might rise as the wagons are moved.
Sources from 112, as cited by Europa Press and reported by infoCLM at 7:57 PM Spanish time, indicate that 107 injured individuals were admitted to hospitals in the region; this figure, indirectly attributed, differs from the official report of 77 due to varying timing and criteria.
García-Page reported that 15 of the injured were classified as "code red," with four in particularly critical condition, and confirmed that all hospitalized individuals had been identified.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the decision to authorize the AVE's departure as "inexplicable" and acknowledged that the action was taken "against regulations."
The Civil Guard questioned the Atocha CRC operator who authorized the train's departure, along with other shift workers, on Wednesday.
The judicial investigation is being conducted by the Orgaz Court of Instance, with the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF) also examining the technical causes; neither has yet issued definitive conclusions regarding accountability.
This incident marks the second major accident on Spain's high-speed rail network in less than a year, following one on January 18, 2026, in Adamuz, Córdoba, which resulted in 46 fatalities.
Key Questions Surrounding the Train Collision in Spain
What caused the train collision in Urda, Toledo?
The collision was reportedly caused by a failure in the LZB safety system and instructions given contrary to protocol, leading the AVE train to collide with the stationary Iryo train.
How many casualties resulted from the accident?
As of the latest update, 68 people were confirmed dead, and 107 were injured, with differing reports on the number of those hospitalized.
What actions are being taken in the aftermath of the collision?
Investigations are being conducted by the Orgaz Court of Instance and the Railway Accident Investigation Commission to determine the causes and accountability, while the Civil Guard has interrogated relevant personnel.