At least 30 people have been reported dead after two high-speed trains collided near Urda, Toledo, on Wednesday 28 October 2026. The updated death toll, attributed to the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, is three times the minimum reported when the accident first emerged. Rescue teams are continuing their work and authorities have escalated their emergency response.
Updated 28 October 2026, approximately 12.30pm UK time: Spanish outlets including Europa Press have reported a minimum of 30 deaths, citing the regional government. Other reports put the figure as high as 50, but those figures are not yet reconciled with the regional government’s confirmed minimum. The toll could rise. The precise number and severity of injuries are not yet settled.
This is a follow-up to our original breaking report on the collision near Madrid, published when the first official reports cited at least 10 deaths.
Emergency plan raised and military rescuers requested
Castilla-La Mancha’s 112 emergency service said its PLATECAM regional emergency plan was raised to operational level 2 at 10.30am Spanish local time. The regional government requested support from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) as firefighters, Civil Guard personnel, medical teams and civil protection volunteers responded. A forward command post was established to coordinate rescue and triage.
The regional authorities have opened an emergency information line, 900 122 112, for relatives and others seeking information about people potentially affected by the accident.
What happened at Urda
Spain’s infrastructure manager Adif said the collision occurred on the Madrid–Seville high-speed route between Mora y Orgaz and Urda at kilometre point 118. An AVE train operated by Renfe hit the rear of an Iryo train travelling towards Andalusia. Emergency services reported carriages leaving the tracks and falling down an embankment.
Regional government spokesperson Esther Padilla said that 147 people, including a baby, were on the Iryo train and 397 passengers on the Renfe AVE, according to EFE. Rescuers continued assessing the carriages and treating those injured.
Cause has not been established
Adif told the EFE news agency it was examining its systems and the sequence of events but had not identified the cause of the collision. Reports discussing possible signalling failures, instructions from rail control or human error are preliminary. The investigation has not established responsibility, and no such theory should be presented as proven.
The Urda collision is a separate incident from the January 2026 train disaster at Adamuz in Córdoba province. Images and casualty figures from that earlier accident must not be confused with Wednesday’s crash.
Passenger disruption and assistance
Adif said the high-speed line between Madrid and Andalusia remained suspended, with trains held at stations along the route. It established assistance points at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes, Sevilla-Santa Justa, Córdoba-Julio Anguita and Málaga-María Zambrano. Renfe announced free changes and cancellations for affected journeys.
- Renfe victims and families: 900 10 10 20.
- Iryo victims and families: 900 001 403, as reported by Maldita.es.
- Adif assistance: 900 00 14 02, as reported by Maldita.es.
- Castilla-La Mancha emergency information: 900 122 112.
The assistance lines are intended for affected passengers and relatives. Other travellers should consult Adif’s network-status page or their operator before travelling.
What remains unclear
The final death toll, full injury figures, condition of those seriously hurt, precise movement of the two trains and the underlying cause are still subject to investigation. The reported minimum of 30 deaths should not be mistaken for a final figure.
Sources and further information
- Castilla-La Mancha 112: PLATECAM level 2, UME request and assistance line
- Adif: affected rail services, location and passenger assistance points
- Europa Press: regional government reports an initial minimum of 30 deaths
- RTVE: initial passenger figures and collision sequence
- EFE: Adif says the cause is undetermined
- Maldita.es: assistance numbers and checks on images
This is an evolving story. Verified changes to the casualty figures, rail disruption or investigation will be reported as they become available.
