In brief
A high‑speed train collision near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on October 28, 2026 killed at least 68 people and injured over 100, including two South Korean nationals. Korean authorities confirmed one passenger with minor injuries and the other remains hospitalized. Spanish officials declared three days of mourning and investigations continue into signalling failures. Claims of Japanese passengers remain unverified.
On Oct. 28, a high‑speed train collision near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province killed at least 68 people and injured more than 100, including two South Korean nationals, according to the Korean foreign ministry and Spanish officials.
The collision involved a Renfe AVE train that struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train on the Madrid‑Seville line; two carriages derailed and rolled onto an embankment, as reported by Al Jazeera and UPI.
Yonhap confirmed that two South Korean passengers were injured: one sustained minor injuries and was discharged after treatment, while the other remains hospitalized; about 80 passengers were injured overall, with 50 serious and 15 critical cases, per Al Jazeera and UPI.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning, stating,
Today the whole of Spain is grieving.(UPI)
Investigators cite a rail control error: a computer failure paused six trains, including the two involved, and the control center allowed the Renfe train to depart despite a red signal, an action described by transport minister Oscar Puente as a clear and inexplicable error, according to UPI and Kyodo News.
Reported but unconfirmed: Kyodo News mentioned that two Japanese nationals may have been aboard, but officials have not confirmed their presence; BTA reported an earlier death toll of 64, lower than the confirmed figure of at least 68.
UAE leaders expressed condolences: President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice Presidents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent messages to King Felipe VI, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured (WAM).
Rescue efforts continue: Spanish authorities, along with police, firefighters, and medical teams, have mobilised over 300 personnel to search the wreckage for survivors and to identify victims, as reported by Reuters.
