In brief
A high‑speed train slammed into a stationary train near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on October 28, killing at least 68 people and injuring dozens, including two South Korean passengers – one minor and one hospitalized – according to Korea’s foreign ministry. Spanish authorities have declared three days of mourning and are investigating a possible computer‑control error that may have caused the crash. International leaders, including Spain’s king, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bulgaria, have sent condolences to victims’ families.
A Renfe high‑speed passenger train collided with a stationary Iryo train on the Madrid‑Seville line near Urda in Toledo province, Spain, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, killing at least 68 people and injuring about a hundred, according to Spanish authorities and the regional government of Castilla‑La Mancha.
Seoul’s foreign ministry confirmed that two South Korean nationals were aboard the trains involved, that one sustained minor injuries and was discharged after treatment, while the other remains hospitalized. The ministry said it is monitoring the situation closely and has been in contact with local officials.
Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said a rail‑control computer that had halted six moving trains on the 40‑mile stretch was overridden, allowing a Renfe train to depart without speed restrictions despite a red signal, a decision he called "a clear and inexplicable error." The investigation into the exact cause is still underway.
At the crash site, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced three days of national mourning from Oct. 29 to 31. “Spain is in mourning,” he said. “We will get to the bottom of this, and if there was negligence, it will be revealed, and if there were system failures, there will be a strong response.”
King Felipe VI expressed his sorrow in a statement, while the Spanish Transport Minister called the incident "truly unbelievable" and said the control centre had authorised the train to proceed under "inexplicable circumstances."
International Condolences
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of condolence to King Felipe VI, wishing a speedy recovery for all injured. Vice Presidents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also sent similar messages.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed sympathies and wished the Spanish people a swift recovery, sending a cable to the king.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev posted on X: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic train accident in Spain, which claimed lives and injured many people. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Spanish authorities."
While reports from Kyodo suggest two Japanese nationals may have been aboard, that detail remains unconfirmed. No Bulgarians were reported injured according to the Bulgarian foreign ministry’s statement.
Rescue crews continue to search the wreckage, with at least 40 fatalities confirmed at local hospitals, and investigations are being accelerated by national transport agencies and emergency services.
