At least 30 dead, 80 injured, with concerns death toll could rise further – what we know
Jakub Krupa
At least 30 people have died and 80 have been injured after two high-speed trains collided in Spain’s Toledo province, with fears the death toll could still rise higher (12:22).
The number of people affected is still expected to rise (10:46, 12:04), local authorities said, with growing concerns about a “major tragedy” (11:03).
The affected trains are understood to be Iryo 7076 with 146 passengers plus one baby on board, and AVE 2080 with 397 passengers on board, making it 544 people in total on board of both train (11:00).
Early inquiries point to a possible signalling failure that contributed to the crash, Spanish media reported (12:32).
The incident comes less than a year after a similar crash in Adamuz, the province of Córdoba, which killed 46 and injured 152 in January this year (11:00).
Spain’s high-speed railway network ranks as the largest in Europe and the second biggest in the world after China, carrying 25 million passengers in 2024.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said he was “shocked” by the accident (11:05), with transport minister Óscar Puente working at the emergency control centre to “obtain all possible information about what happened” (11:16).
The Spanish king Felipe VI expressed his sorrow and solidarity with all affected (11:38, 12:07).
Updated at 07.35 EDT
Key events
now
At least 30 dead, 80 injured, with concerns death toll could rise further – what we know
11m ago
Aerial footage from the crash scene – video
12m ago
At least 30 dead, 80 injured, but numbers likely to rise, local president says
30m ago
Death toll may rise further, local government spokesperson warns
45m ago
At least 30 dead in Spanish train crash, local government confirms
1h ago
Spanish royals express concern for and support to all affected by train crash
1h ago
‘Europe mourns in you,’ EU’s von der Leyen responds to train collision in Spain
1h ago
At least 30 dead after two train collide in Spain – what do we know
1h ago
Spain’s transport minister working to ‘obtain all possible information’
1h ago
Spanish PM, opposition leader ‘shocked’ by train crash in Toledo
2h ago
Spanish health minister fears ‘major tragedy’ after train collision in Toledo
2h ago
Toledo crash brings back memories of deadly crash in Adamuz
2h ago
Death toll likely to rise, local government spokesperson warns
2h ago
At least 10 feared dead after collision in Toledo province
Meanwhile, El Mundo is reporting that the Iryo train flagged a failure in its LZB signalling system shortly before the crash, but the train behind did not receive the information.
Investigators believe the AVE high-speed train travelling behind crashed into the stationary Iryo service, according to the newspaper.
ShareAerial footage from the crash scene – video
Aerial footage shows aftermath of deadly Spain train collision – videoShareAt least 30 dead, 80 injured, but numbers likely to rise, local president says
The president of Castilla-La Mancha region, Emiliano García-Page, is now briefing the reporters.
He confirms the latest figure of 30 dead – 24 in the AVE train and six in the Iryo train – but says the authorities expect this number to rise further as emergency services are yet to reach the most affected parts of the wreckage.
He also says some 80 people were injured, with 30 people with minor injuries, and 50 with moderate and more serious injuries of varying severity.
He thanks all emergency services for their help.
Updated at 07.27 EDT
Unlike other party leaders, the far-right Vox party’s Santiago Abascal appears to be going ahead with his political plans for today as he continues campaigning ahead of next month’s parliamentary election in Spain.
In his comments, he repeatedly attacked Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez for “constantly putting the Spanish people at risk.”
He explicitly rejected calls to suspend the campaign, insisting that would only to “exploit the grief and mourning to silence complaints and protests regarding the decay of our infrastructure.”
Updated at 07.12 EDT
Spanish King Felipe VI appeared in front of cameras on his visit to Bétera, where he is attending some military exercises.
His brief reaction was largely in line with his earlier written statement.
Visibly shaken, Felipe VI said he wanted to “express my deep regret over this horrific incident,” acknowledging “a high number of fatalities and many injuries.”
“My primary concern is to express my sorrow over this terrible tragedy and to convey our condolences, sadness, support, and affection to the families during such an incredibly difficult and painful time.”
He also thanked emergency services responding to the incident for their help.
ShareDeath toll may rise further, local government spokesperson warns
Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha region, has just appeared on RTVE again, confirming at least 30 dead, and saying the number may rise even further.
Local government spokesperson Padilla said the focus at the moment is on ensuring all affected get the medical help they need.
Most people are being transferred to a hospital in Toledro, but three other hospitals were also put on high readiness to support the emergency respond when needed, she said.
Updated at 07.14 EDT
Another passenger on one of the trains reported that their Renfe AVE train came to a brief stop and was held up for a few minutes shortly before the crash, with the explanation given being “heavy traffic in the area.”
After it moved off again, it collided at speed with the other train, causing a “violent impact” on the passengers.
Talking to RTVE, Fernando Seco said passengers in his carriage – at the back of the train – were able to get out of the train and down the embankment, when they realised the scale of the disaster and damage to front carriages.
He said there had been no sign that anything was wrong with the train beforehand.
Miguel, a passenger travelling with several colleagues in the rear car of one of the trains, described to COPE radio the moment of the accident.
“We heard a massive roar, a truly enormous thud that went on for 10 seconds, as if the train were about to derail. Through the right-hand window, we could see a wrecked train – I imagine it must have been the other one.”
His comments were relayed by Reuters.
ShareAt least 30 dead in Spanish train crash, local government confirms
Castilla-la Mancha regional government said the death toll had risen to 30 from 10, in line with their previous warnings that the number could rise (10:46).
This also is in line with earlier media reports (11:29).
Updated at 06.52 EDT
Jakub Krupa
Early indications suggest that a Renfe AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla – the larger of the two (11:00) – collided with the Iryo train ahead of it.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that at least three carriages derailed, with some falling off the embankment, fuelling concerns that the death toll could still rise further.
The investigation will look into what caused the incident and look at both the driver’s reactions and the operation of the signalling system.
The incident took place in the Urda area of Toledro province.
Updated at 06.49 EDT
Spanish royals express concern for and support to all affected by train crash
The Spanish royal household has just issued their statement too, expressing their concern and support for all affected.
It reads:
“We are moved and concerned by the train accident in Urda (Toledo). We share in the sorrow of the families and loved ones of the deceased and send our affection to the injured and those affected.
Our support also goes to the emergency teams and all those working in the area to help as much as possible under these circumstances.”
Updated at 06.38 EDT
The emergency service of the Castilla-La Mancha government set up a hotline for all affected by the crash: 900 122 112.
Both affected train companies also set up their hotlines:
Iryo: 900 001 403
RENFE: 900 101 020
Share‘Europe mourns in you,’ EU’s von der Leyen responds to train collision in Spain
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen responded to the train crash in Spain.
In a statement, she said:
“Just received the devastating news from Toledo on the collision of two high-speed trains. My heart goes out to the victims’ families and loved ones.
Today, Europe mourns with you.”
Madrid’s blood bank has issued an “urgent appeal for blood donations” given “possible increase in unforeseen healthcare needs” for all blood groups.
Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE is reporting at least 30 dead, quoting government sources.
This has not been at this stage formally confirmed by the authorities.