In brief
A high‑speed rail collision near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on Oct. 28 killed at least 68 people and injured many, including two South Korean nationals. One Korean passenger sustained minor injuries and was discharged; the other remains hospitalized. Spanish officials are investigating possible signalling failures and negligence, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a period of mourning.
A high‑speed train struck the rear of a stationary commuter train near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday, Oct. 28, causing two carriages to derail and killing at least 68 people, Spanish officials said. The incident occurred on the high‑speed line connecting Madrid and Seville, according to the regional government and national media.
Among the victims were two South Korean nationals. The Korean foreign ministry confirmed that one passenger suffered minor injuries and was discharged after treatment, while the other remains hospitalized. A total of 11 South Korean passengers were confirmed aboard the trains involved as of the morning after the crash.
Spanish authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the collision. The government has suggested potential signalling failures or negligence, but no definitive cause has yet been announced. The crash has prompted a three‑day period of official mourning declared by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who said the cause would be thoroughly investigated.
The Spanish National Health Minister, Monica García, said injured passengers were being transported to several hospitals in the surrounding area. Esteban Padilla, a spokeswoman for the Castilla‑La Mancha regional government, told TVE that the two trains were travelling in the same direction when the high‑speed train, operated by Renfe, struck the rear of the stationary train operated by the private company Iryo.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared: "Spain is in mourning," and added that the investigation would reveal whether negligence or system failures were responsible. The incident comes after a previous crash in January, raising concerns about the safety of Spain’s rail network.
"Spain is in mourning," Sánchez said from Urda. "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."
Military emergency units, more than 200 personnel, are on scene to assist with rescue and recovery operations, and local authorities are mobilizing supplies for affected residents.
