At least 10 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on the Madrid-Andalucía line, with officials saying the death toll ‘will almost certainly rise’.
The trains, operated by Renfe and Iryo, collided shortly after 9am local time (8am UK time) between the towns of Los Yébenes and Urda, in the province of Toledo, around 100km south of Madrid.
Rail operator Adif has suspended high-speed services on the Madrid-Andalucía line indefinitely following the crash, affecting routes to cities including Seville, Córdoba and Málaga. No reopening time has been confirmed.
Two carriages left the tracks and crashed down an embankment, Spanish newspaper El País reported. Images shared on social media showed mangled carriages lying on their sides in a ditch.
The Iryo train was carrying 147 people, while the Renfe AVE train was carrying 297 passengers, as reported by Sky News.
El País understands that one of the trains was travelling from Madrid to Seville.
A Government spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha region said two carriages had derailed, adding that the cause of the crash and the full number of casualties were still being determined.
It is not yet known whether any British nationals were on board either train.
Emergency medical teams and other emergency services were sent to the scene to assist those affected.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was in contact with the Transport Minister and the President of Castilla-La Mancha following what he described as a ‘serious train accident in Toledo’.
He said 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 affection, solidarity, and support to all the victims and their families.”
