On the morning of Wednesday, 28 October, two high-speed trains – Renfe’s AVE and Iryo – collided in Toledo province. The track manager Adif suspended traffic on the Madrid–Andalusia line; the number of fatalities is rising, and sources give different tolls.
As Adif said in a statement on X, traffic on the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line was halted after a „rear-end collision” of one train into another (as quoted by CNN and Reuters). The operator did not provide details at that time.
Where and how the accident happened
According to Spanish media, including El País as cited by Reuters, the incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. local time, or at 8:54 according to other Spanish reports, on the section between Los Yébenes and Urda in Toledo province (Castilla-La Mancha). An AVE Renfe train travelling from Madrid to Seville collided with a train operated by the private carrier Iryo. According to reports, two carriages derailed and rolled down an embankment. Spanish media say 147 passengers were on board the Iryo and 397 on the AVE (figures from ESdiario’s live coverage; yet to be confirmed).
How many people died
The toll is inconsistent and changing quickly. According to the EFE news agency, the government initially confirmed at least 10 dead. Later, Spanish media, citing emergency services in Castilla-La Mancha, reported that at least 39 people had died. Some outlets also cite information from Protección Civil of at least 46 victims and hundreds injured. No official, final toll had been published at the time of writing, and authorities warn the number of dead may rise.
Regional authorities activated the PLATECAN emergency plan. The Guardia Civil, firefighters, civil protection and the Red Cross were sent to the scene. The mayor of Urda, Manuel Galán, said a hall for the injured was being prepared in the town. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
A second such disaster this year
This is another serious disaster on Spain’s high-speed rail network in 2026. On Sunday, 18 January, an Iryo train derailed near Adamuz in Córdoba province and collided with an oncoming Renfe train. According to NPR, 41 people died in that crash, and the country declared three days of mourning. The cause of today’s accident is not known; one Spanish outlet writes that it is unclear why the AVE did not brake, but this is not an official finding.
What it means
The suspension of traffic on the Madrid–Andalusia route means cancellations and delays for trains to Seville, Córdoba, Málaga and other Andalusian cities. Poles planning to travel by rail in Spain should check the status of their connections with Renfe, Iryo and Adif. As of publication, no information has been given about Polish citizens affected.
