Train Accident in Spain

Death Toll Rises – At Least 68 Dead in Train Collision

At least 68 people have died following a collision between two high-speed trains in Urda, south of Toledo, Spain, according to local authorities. Several train carriages derailed and tumbled down an embankment.

The Spanish government has cancelled its planned activities for Wednesday in light of the accident.

"I am devastated by the serious train accident in Toledo. My thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X.

According to *El País*, early reports suggest that human error may be behind the accident. One of the trains was stationary when it was struck from behind. The other train was traveling at a speed of over 100 kilometers per hour, *El Mundo* reports.

Train services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended.

Minister: Train Received a Green Light – Despite a Stop Signal

The driver of one of the trains involved in the accident in Spain alerted the traffic control center to a fault in the signaling system, noting that the train was stationary on the tracks, according to information obtained by *El Mundo*. Ten minutes later, the train was struck from behind by another train traveling at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. According to *El País*, Transport Minister Óscar Puente has confirmed that a communication failure occurred within the network around 8:30 a.m., causing the control and safety system along the track section to disconnect. All trains on the 63-kilometer stretch were automatically brought to a halt, and the control center began managing traffic manually.

Shortly thereafter, the control center gave one train the green light to proceed. The train ultimately collided with a stationary train. Puente described the authorization as "incomprehensible," noting that it violated both established procedures and a mandatory stop signal.

Sánchez declares three days of mourning following train accident

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared three days of mourning following the train accident in Urda, south of Toledo, which has claimed the lives of at least 68 people, AFP reports.

He has also promised a thorough investigation into what went wrong.

"If there was negligence, it will come to light. If there were flaws in the safety system, we will respond with determination," says Sánchez.