Two high-speed trains collide in Spain, killing at least 68 people

The collision occurred around 08:54 local time on the Madrid–Seville high-speed line, on the section between the towns of Los Yébenes and Urda. There were 397 passengers aboard the Renfe train and 147 on the Iryo train. At least two carriages derailed and fell down an embankment. The number of injured is still being verified: El País reported 58 injured, 15 of whom are in critical condition, while El Español, citing the civil protection service, reported at least 179.

Government sources told El País that the preliminary cause of the accident was "human error". According to their account, following a safety system malfunction that brought around eight trains to a halt, a dispatcher directing traffic at Madrid's Atocha station mistakenly allowed the Renfe train to continue on its route, even though the section was occupied by the Iryo train. There are no official findings from the investigation yet.

Infrastructure operator Adif suspended traffic on the mainline connecting Madrid with Andalusia and Ciudad Real, urging passengers not to come to stations until services resume. Renfe is offering exchanges or refunds for canceled departures, while a 900 10 10 20 hotline and support centers at Atocha station and in Seville have been set up for relatives of passengers. The authorities of the Castile-La Mancha region activated an emergency response plan.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X that he was "deeply shocked" by the disaster. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent condolences to King Felipe VI of Spain, expressing sympathy to the Spanish people and the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.