Two High-Speed Trains Collide in Spain
At least 30 people died after one train struck another from behind near Toledo.
By Yasmin Kovalenko ·
Two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, killing at least 30 people. The crash occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time in the province of Toledo. The collision marks the second fatal rail accident in the country this year.
Officials from the Castilla-La Mancha region confirmed the death toll to NBC News. Esther Padilla, a spokesperson for the region, told the public broadcaster TVE that both trains were traveling in the same direction from Madrid to Sevilla. One train struck the rear of the other, which had stopped on the tracks. Two carriages of the stationary train derailed as a result. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident.
The two trains belonged to different operators. The state-run Renfe carried approximately 397 passengers. The private operator Iryo, which has Italian capital, transported 147 passengers. Iryo released a statement on Wednesday saying it activated its safety protocols and is working closely with local authorities. Renfe also opened an emergency telephone line to assist the families of those involved.
Miguel, a passenger in the rear carriage of one of the trains, described the moment of impact to the Spanish radio station COPE. He heard a loud crash that lasted about 10 seconds. Through the window on the right side, he saw a destroyed train and believed it was the other vehicle.
Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, said he was deeply troubled by the event. He posted on social media that emergency services are working on the ground to care for affected people and ensure their safety. He noted that he is in constant contact with the Transport Minister and the regional president of Castilla-La Mancha.
Manuel Galán, the mayor of the nearby town of Urda, said emergency services asked him to prepare a local sports facility to house injured passengers. The accident happened on the same Madrid to Sevilla line where a crash in January killed 45 people. That incident involved the same two operators, Renfe and Iryo. According to the European Union, Spain operates the most extensive high-speed rail network in Europe, with more than 1,900 miles of tracks for trains traveling above 155 miles per hour.
Source: WSCV
