High-Speed Train Crash in Toledo Kills 64

The death toll from a high-speed train collision in Toledo province rose to 64 on Wednesday, with 80 people reported injured. The accident occurred in a rural area of central Spain when a private operator, Iryo, struck the rear of a state-owned Renfe train that was stationary on the tracks.

The impact caused several carriages to derail and overturn. Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, confirmed to public broadcaster TVE that both trains were traveling in the same direction at the time of the crash. Official data from the regional executive indicates the Renfe service carried 397 passengers, while the Iryo unit had 147 people aboard.

Regional President Emiliano García-Page reported the number of injured individuals as rescue teams continued searching the wreckage. Local health authorities requested blood donations and opened a telephone hotline to assist the families of those involved. In the nearby town of Urda, Mayor Manuel Galán coordinated the conversion of a sports center into a reception point for the affected.

Survivors described the moment of impact. Miguel, a passenger in the last carriage of the Renfe train, told radio station COPE that he heard a deafening roar and a dull thud that lasted about 10 seconds. He said it felt as if the train was about to leave the rails. Looking out the right-side window, he saw a crushed train and assumed it was the other vehicle.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on the social media platform X that he was deeply saddened by the event. He expressed his condolences and support to the victims and their families. The Spanish Royal House also issued a statement saying they shared the pain of the families and loved ones of those who died.

The collision occurred on Wednesday in the Toledo province. Authorities have not yet released the cause of the initial stoppage of the Renfe train. Rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the derailed carriages.