In brief
A high‑speed train collision near Urda station in Spain on 28 October 2026 killed at least 50 people and injured 179. The accident involved a Renfe train striking the rear of a stationary Iryo train, leading to a derailment and widespread service disruption. Spanish officials, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed shock and condemned the tragedy.
A high‑speed train collision near Urda station in the province of Toledo on 28 October 2026 killed at least fifty people and injured 179, according to Xinhua and Spanish railway operators. Preliminary reports say the Renfe‑operated train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo‑run private train, with two carriages derailing and falling down an embankment.
The Chinese Embassy confirmed that four Chinese nationals were aboard the trains, with at least one sustaining a minor injury. Spanish railway infrastructure operator Adif announced that all services between Madrid and Andalusia would be suspended following the accident.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on social media:
"Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo,"
He added that emergency services were on the ground to assist those impacted. Political parties across Spain cancelled scheduled activities on Wednesday, reflecting the nationwide shock over the crash.
The collision follows a previous major railway incident near Adamuz in Córdoba, which occurred nine months earlier and killed 46 people. Spanish media have reported that the Renfe train was traveling northbound toward Andalusia, while the Iryo train had stopped on the main line when the impact occurred.
Local authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision. No official statement yet clarifies why the Iryo train was stationary on the main line, although preliminary reports suggest the train may have been halted for operational reasons. The incident remains a major public‑safety concern for Spain’s high‑speed rail network, and authorities have urged additional safety checks across the line.
