High-speed train collision in Spain leaves at least 10 dead
At least 10 people were killed when two high-speed trains crashed into each other in central Spain on Wednesday, reports BritPanorama.
“That number will surely rise,” said Esther Padilla, spokeswoman for the Castilla La Mancha region.
The accident took place just after 9 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) between the towns of Mora and Orgaz in the Toledo province, according to ADIF, which manages Spain’s state-owned railway infrastructure.
The collision led to a suspension of services on the line between Madrid and the southern Andalusia region, as stated by ADIF in a report on X.
The crash involved a Renfe train and an Iryo company train traveling from Madrid to Seville. It resulted in two Iryo wagons derailing, with officials still assessing the full extent of casualties and injuries.
Manuel Galan, the mayor of Urda near Toledo, informed Spanish state broadcaster TVE that emergency services requested the preparation of a sports hall to accommodate the injured.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating that emergency services “are working on-site to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all relevant authorities.” He conveyed his “heartfelt sympathy, solidarity, and support” to the victims and their families on X.
This incident follows a previous collision in January, where 45 lives were lost when a train derailed and collided with an oncoming train, marking a somber point in Spain’s railway history, which has seen significant safety challenges in the past.
Spain boasts the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, exceeding 1,900 miles and serving trains that travel over 155 mph, according to the European Union.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of railway operations across the country.
