Pro-government says Spain must strengthen rail safety after deadly train collision

Pro-government says Spain must strengthen rail safety after deadly train collision
Initial reports on Wednesday said at least 50 people had died and 179 were injured after two high-speed trains collided near Urda, in Spain’s Toledo province. The Spanish Football Federation postponed all Copa del Rey matches scheduled for that day, saying the country had been shaken by the tragedy.

The collision occurred at about 8:53 a.m. on the Madrid–Seville line. According to Transport Minister Óscar Puente, a Renfe train struck an Iryo train from behind while it was stopped near the Urda station. Early information indicated that the LZB control and safety system had failed around 20 minutes before the crash, leaving a 63-kilometre section without automatic protection.

As rescue operations continued, the reported death toll rose to 64, with 80 people injured, including 50 seriously. More than 540 passengers had been aboard the two trains. Former Labour and Social Security Minister Fátima Báñez was among those killed, according to Spanish political and media sources. Rail traffic between Madrid and Andalusia was suspended, while assistance centres opened in Madrid and Seville for relatives of passengers.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his scheduled activities and said the government’s response would focus on emergency operations, determining the cause and supporting victims’ families. Later reports put the death toll at 69. “We will work day and night … to strengthen safety so that something like this does not happen again,” Sánchez said.

Regional authorities declared three days of mourning, while King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and European leaders expressed condolences. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials examining communications between the trains and the control centre, as well as possible human error and system failures.