# Spain High-Speed Train Collision Leaves at Least 64 Dead… “Six South Koreans Slightly Injured”

> URL: https://www.cityhorror.wiki/en/%EC%8A%A4%ED%8E%98%EC%9D%B8-%EA%B3%A0%EC%86%8D%EC%97%B4%EC%B0%A8-%EC%B6%94%EB%8F%8C-%EC%B0%B8%EC%82%AC-%EC%B5%9C%EC%86%8C-64%EB%AA%85-%EC%82%AC%EB%A7%9D%ED%95%9C%EA%B5%AD%EC%9D%B8-6%EB%AA%85-%EA%B2%BD%EC%83%81
> Estimated date: Oct 2026
> Last updated: 2026-10-28
> Korean original: https://www.cityhorror.wiki/%EC%8A%A4%ED%8E%98%EC%9D%B8-%EA%B3%A0%EC%86%8D%EC%97%B4%EC%B0%A8-%EC%B6%94%EB%8F%8C-%EC%B0%B8%EC%82%AC-%EC%B5%9C%EC%86%8C-64%EB%AA%85-%EC%82%AC%EB%A7%9D%ED%95%9C%EA%B5%AD%EC%9D%B8-6%EB%AA%85-%EA%B2%BD%EC%83%81

## Overview

At around 9 a.m. local time on October 28, 2026, two high-speed trains traveling in the same direction collided on the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line near Urda in Toledo province, south of Spain’s capital, Madrid. At least 64 people were killed. The trains involved were an Iryo service operated by private rail company Iryo and a Renfe AVE service operated by state-owned Renfe. Several carriages derailed and rolled down an embankment. A total of 544 people were aboard the two trains.

South Koreans were also aboard the trains. South Korean media reported that six South Koreans suffered minor injuries, while some reports put the number at nine. The latest major rail accident in Spain came nine months after 46 people were killed in a train collision near Córdoba in Andalusia in January. Rail maintenance has consequently come under renewed scrutiny.

## The Accident

According to Yonhap News, the accident occurred near Urda in Toledo province, part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, about 120 km south of Madrid. Spain’s Infobae reported that the collision took place at around 8:54 a.m., at kilometer 118 of the Madrid–Seville line. A spokesperson for the Castile-La Mancha regional government told state broadcaster TVE that both trains were traveling from Madrid to Seville and that one struck the rear of the other, causing it to derail. Infobae reported that as many as four carriages derailed and fell down an embankment, while Yonhap News TV reported that two carriages rolled down a slope.

The impact appears to have been severe. Jesús Jerónimo, 54, who was aboard the Renfe train, told El País, “People were thrown out of the train.” YTN reported that a passenger said, “There was a huge collision in an instant, everything flipped over, and I saw people being thrown into the air.” Another passenger quoted by Yonhap News TV testified, “Suddenly, a train hit us from behind,” adding, “I saw the train appear on the left, and we all fell backward.” Photos and videos released by foreign media also show several carriages derailed and overturned, with substantial damage to the trains. ADIF, the rail infrastructure manager, said that high-speed services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended immediately after the rear-end collision.

## Casualty Figures and Rescue Efforts

The death toll continued to change over time. Spanish media initially reported 50 dead and 179 injured, and a YouTube video by EL ESPAÑOL also used the headline “At least 50 dead.” An early Infobae breaking-news update said “at least 68 dead,” while a summary in the same update put the death toll at 64. According to Yonhap News, Emiliano García-Page, president of Castile-La Mancha, said, “We are talking about 64 people, but that number will clearly rise.”

Rescue workers focused on finding survivors in the two most severely damaged carriages, and the death toll rose as the search continued. Health Minister Mónica García told TVE, “Given the high-speed collision, a disaster is to be expected.” The injured were taken to hospitals by ambulance. Urda mayor Manuel Galán told TVE that he had been asked to arrange space in the town’s gymnasium to accommodate passengers. There were 397 people aboard the Renfe train and 147 aboard the Iryo train, for a total of 544.

## South Korean Casualties

It was confirmed that six South Koreans were aboard the trains and all sustained minor injuries. South Korean Ambassador to Spain Lim Su-seok told Yonhap News that consular assistance was being provided and that officials were continuing to check for additional casualties. Lim told YTN, “Because the accident site is far from the city, Spanish rescue authorities are transporting the injured by ambulance, and those with minor injuries are being taken to Urda.” He added that a consul had been dispatched to support the passengers with hospital treatment and transportation.

However, reports differed on the number of people injured. Yonhap News TV, citing a South Korean Foreign Ministry official, reported that nine South Koreans had been injured. Although officials said they were continuing to check for additional casualties, no explanation for the discrepancy between the two figures had been provided as of the time of the reports.

## International Responses and Political Repercussions

Shortly after the accident, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on X, saying he was “shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo” and offering his condolences, solidarity, and support to the victims and their families. He later held a press conference at the scene, saying the government’s top priorities were the victims and their families, finding as many survivors as possible, and determining the circumstances of the accident. He declared three days of national mourning. The regional governments of Madrid and Extremadura also declared three days of official mourning. King Felipe VI issued a statement saying he felt “deep sadness and concern,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Today, Europe mourns with you.” Leaders across Europe, including those of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Portugal, also expressed their condolences.

The accident occurred as Spain was preparing for an early general election. Sánchez and the leadership of the main opposition People’s Party postponed their campaign schedules, and Yonhap News TV reported that the prime minister had canceled all official engagements. The Royal Spanish Football Federation also canceled all 24 Copa del Rey matches scheduled for that day. Yonhap News reported that criticism had mounted over insufficient investment in rail maintenance following the Córdoba accident in January, and noted that attention was focused on the potential impact of the latest accident on the early election.

## Explanations of the Cause of the Accident

The exact circumstances of the accident had not been established as of the time of reporting. Infobae initially reported that the cause was unknown, and European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said, “It is too early to draw any conclusions.” Nevertheless, several explanations emerged over time. According to Yonhap News, ABC and El País, citing sources, reported that human error appeared to have led to a signal about the Iryo train ahead not being relayed to the following Renfe AVE train. Reuters, citing sources, reported that the Iryo train was stopped because of a signal problem, following instructions from ADIF, when another high-speed train collided with it.

Infobae went further, reporting that Óscar Puente referred to a “wrong decision” by the control center at Madrid Atocha. The implication was that this decision allowed the AVE train to continue despite a stop signal. Under this account, the control center cleared the way for the following train to enter a section where the train ahead was stopped, leading to the rear-end collision.

## Authenticity Debate

The central question is whether the disaster should be attributed to an individual error by the control center or viewed as involving wider problems with the signaling system and rail management. However, the two explanations cannot be assumed to be mutually exclusive. No official investigation findings had been released as of the time of reporting.

### The View That It Was Human Error by Train Control

This view emphasizes that Puente’s remarks and reports by local media point in the same direction. Puente directly mentioned a wrong decision by the Atocha control center, and reports said that the decision had caused the AVE to proceed despite a stop signal. ABC and El País also cited sources who said that human error appeared to have resulted in a signal about the train ahead not being relayed to the following train.

### The View That Signaling and Structural Problems Must Also Be Considered

The opposing view argues that it is too early to reduce the accident to a mistake by one or two people. Reuters, citing sources, reported that the Iryo train had stopped because of a signaling problem. If there was a signaling problem first, the control center’s decision may have been one later step in the sequence. Moreover, the accident came nine months after the Córdoba disaster in January, which killed 46 people and also prompted criticism over insufficient investment in maintenance. The European Commission spokesperson also said it was too early to draw conclusions.

No investigation findings have yet been released that would determine which explanation is correct. The possibility that a signaling problem and an error in the control center’s judgment overlapped remains open.

## Trivia

- According to Yonhap News, Spain has Europe’s largest high-speed rail network, with a total length of more than 3,900 km, and the world’s second-largest after China.
- Yonhap News noted that about 80 people were also killed in a train derailment in 2013.

## Sources

- YTN, [“Spain High-Speed Train Collision Disaster Leaves at Least 64 Dead… ‘Six South Koreans Suffer Minor Injuries’”](https://v.daum.net/v/20261028230414434) (2026-10-28)
- Yonhap News, [“64 Dead in High-Speed Train Collision in Central Spain… Six South Koreans Suffer Minor Injuries (Updated Report 3)”](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261028182454085?input=1195m) (2026-10-28)
- Yonhap News TV, [“High-Speed Train Collision Disaster in Spain… Nine South Koreans Suffer Minor Injuries”](http://www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/news/MYH20261028225322dl4) (2026-10-28)
- Infobae, [“Train Accident in Toledo, Live: At Least 68 Dead After Iryo and AVE Collide on the Madrid–Andalusia Line”](https://www.infobae.com/espana/2026/10/28/en-directo-accidente-ferroviario-en-toledo-numerosos-heridos-tras-el-choque-de-dos-trenes-en-la-linea-madrid-andalucia/) (2026-10-28)
- YouTube EL ESPAÑOL, [“At Least 50 Dead After an AVE Collides with an Iryo”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OblfLVJPg2I)

## Verified facts

- At around 9 a.m. on October 28, 2026 (local time), two high-speed trains collided near Urda, in Toledo Province, south of Madrid, Spain. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, Yonhap News TV, and Infobae.)
- A train traveling in the same direction from Madrid toward Seville and Andalusia struck the rear of the train ahead, and cars derailed. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, Yonhap News TV, and Infobae.)
- The trains involved were a privately operated Iryo train and a state-owned Renfe AVE train. (Confirmed by Yonhap News and Infobae; mentioned by Yonhap News TV only in a hashtag.)
- A total of 544 people were aboard the two trains. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, and Infobae; Yonhap News TV said “more than 540.”)
- The death toll was put at 64, and dozens of people were injured. Rescue authorities were searching for survivors in the most severely damaged cars, so the death toll could rise. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, and Infobae.)
- High-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended in the aftermath of the accident. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, Yonhap News TV, and Infobae.)
- South Korean passengers were aboard the trains, and all suffered minor injuries. The South Korean Embassy in Spain was providing consular assistance and dispatched a consul to the scene. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, and Yonhap News TV.)
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was shocked by the accident and expressed his condolences and solidarity to the victims and their families. (Reported by YTN and Yonhap News.)
- Prime Minister Sánchez canceled or rescheduled official engagements after the accident. Yonhap News reported that campaign events for the general election were postponed; Yonhap News TV said official engagements were canceled; Infobae reported that three days of national mourning were declared.
- In January of this year, 46 people died in a high-speed train accident in Spain. A train derailed in Córdoba Province and collided with an oncoming train. (Reported by YTN, Yonhap News, and Yonhap News TV.)
- The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Immediately after the accident, human error and a possible signaling-control decision were raised as factors. (Reported by Yonhap News and Infobae.)

## Points of dispute

- Reports differ on the number of South Korean casualties. YTN and Yonhap News reported six people with minor injuries, while Yonhap News TV, citing a Foreign Ministry official, said nine people were injured.
- The death toll differs by report and publication time. The main text of YTN, Yonhap News, and Infobae gives 64. The Infobae headline and opening paragraph said more than 68, while a YouTube video by EL ESPAÑOL said “at least 50 dead.” Yonhap News reported that Spanish media had earlier put the toll at 50 dead and 179 injured. Infobae also at one point reported at least 10 dead. The figures appear to have been updated over time.
- The reported time of the accident differs. YTN and Yonhap News said around 9 a.m.; Infobae said around 8:54 a.m.
- Accounts differ on the extent of the derailment. Yonhap News TV said two cars rolled down an embankment, while Infobae said up to four cars derailed and fell below the embankment.
- Accounts differ on the location. Yonhap News placed it near Urda, about 120 km south of Madrid; Infobae said it was at kilometer 118 of the Madrid–Seville line, between Yébenes and Urda. These descriptions are not substantially contradictory.
- Explanations of the cause vary somewhat. Citing Spanish media, Yonhap News said human error resulted in the following train not being given a signal to proceed. Infobae reported that Minister Óscar Puente said an incorrect decision at the Atocha control center had led the AVE to proceed past a red signal. Neither account represents the findings of an official investigation.