At Least 64 Killed in Spain High-Speed Train Crash Near Toledo

At least 64 people have been killed after a high-speed train slammed into the rear of another train that had stopped on the line in central Spain on Wednesday morning, authorities said. The crash happened in Toledo province, between the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes, as both trains travelled in the same direction from Madrid towards Seville. At least 80 people were injured, and rescue workers warned the death toll could rise further as they searched the wreckage.

Spain's rail operator ADIF said the collision derailed two cars, leaving one carriage shredded into twisted metal and debris scattered down a gravel slope. The trains belonged to state-owned RENFE and private operator IRYO, carrying 397 and 147 passengers respectively. A passenger on the RENFE train told state broadcaster TVE that his train had stopped briefly before moving again and hitting the IRYO train, sending luggage and phones flying. The cause is not yet known, and rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia were suspended.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his agenda to focus on the disaster, while Spain's football federation postponed all 24 Copa del Rey games scheduled for Wednesday. It is the second major train accident in Spain this year: in January, 46 people died when an IRYO train jumped the track and hit an oncoming RENFE train in the south, the deadliest crash since 2013. A military emergency brigade joined firefighters, police and medical helicopters at the scene, and unhurt survivors were taken away by bus.

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