At Least 68 Killed in Spain High Speed Train Crash Near Toledo

Spain began three days of national mourning on October 29, 2026, after a train collision near Urda in Toledo province killed at least 68 people, with rescue teams continuing to search the wreckage. The disaster is Spain’s second deadly high speed rail crash this year and comes a month before its November 29 national election.

The Castilla La Mancha regional government confirmed the provisional death toll, according to the Associated Press . Investigators have not established a final cause or assigned responsibility for the October 28 collision.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the scene and promised a full investigation, including action on any negligence or failures in railway safety systems.

What Happened Near Urda

A Renfe AVE train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train at approximately 8:54 a.m. on October 28. Both were traveling from Madrid toward Seville and carried a combined 544 passengers, according to El País .

The collision occurred at kilometer 118 of the Madrid to Andalusia high speed line. Carriages derailed, and wreckage went down an embankment.

AP reported 58 people receiving hospital treatment during the emergency response. A later October 28 update reported by Sky News put the number still hospitalized in the Toledo region at 53. That later figure does not represent everyone injured in the crash.

Safety Failures Under Investigation

Transport Minister Óscar Puente’s preliminary account described a computer communication failure that triggered the automatic safety system and stopped trains along a section of track.

According to Puente, a subsequent instruction from the control center allowed the Renfe train to proceed despite a red stop signal and the stationary Iryo train ahead. This remains an initial official explanation, not a completed investigative finding.

The Railway Accident Investigation Commission and a court in Orgaz have opened parallel technical and criminal inquiries. Investigators are examining signaling failures, manual control procedures, recorded driver communications and data from both trains’ event recorders.

Mourning and Election Response

National mourning runs from October 29 through October 31. The government canceled scheduled public engagements, and most political parties suspended campaign related events on October 28, according to RTVE .

Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called for support for victims and a full investigation. Vox did not suspend its events. Accusations of government wrongdoing made by Vox leader Santiago Abascal are political claims, not established investigative conclusions.

The crash follows the Adamuz rail disaster in January 2026. Its effect on voting intentions remains unknown.

Passenger Disruption and Family Assistance

High speed services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended, with no confirmed reopening time in the reporting available as of October 29. Affected destinations include Córdoba, Seville and Málaga.

Renfe announced free changes and cancellations for affected journeys on October 28 and 29. It also activated its victim and family assistance plan, with information available at 900 10 10 20.

Authorities provided temporary shelter in Urda and psychological support for those affected. Rescue work, family assistance, and establishing the sequence of safety failures remain the immediate priorities.