Spain train crash: at least 10 dead after collision in Toledo province

At least 10 people are feared dead and many more injured after two high-speed trains collided in Toledo province in central Spain.

Spain’s state rail infrastructure authority said services between Madrid and the southern region of Andalucía had been suspended “⁠following a rear-end collision between two trains” on Wednesday morning.

A spokesperson for the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha region, where the crash occurred, said the cause and ‌ number of injuries were yet to be determined.

Government sources told El País at least 10 people had been killed, and that the crash could be worse than the Adamuz rail disaster in January in which 46 people were killed.

Spain’s state broadcaster, TVE, reported that the crash happened after a high-speed train ran into the back of another service, knocking two carriages off the track.

Manuel Galán, the mayor ​of ​Urda near the ​city of Toledo, said he had ​been ‌asked by ​emergency ​services to prepare a sports hall to accommodate the injured.

Spain’s main political parties, which are gearing up for next month’s general election, suspended their planned activities for the day.

The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, expressed his shock at news of the crash. “I remain in constant contact with the transport minister, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha,” he said in a post on X. “Emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations. My love, solidarity, and support to all the victims and their families.”