A train crash early Wednesday near Madrid has killed at least 46 people and injured some, leading to the disruption of trains between the Spain capital and Andalusia and Ciudad Real.
The crash took place about 9 am in the province of Toledo, according to train transport infrastructure operator ADIF in Spain. The crash happened on a high-speed rail line connecting Madrid to Andalusia, it was a Renfe state-owned train colliding with an Iryo train.
Two Trains Collide on High-Speed Route
Initial reports indicate the southbound Renfe AVE train crashed into the rear of a stopped Iryo train. The effect reportedly knocked over several carriages, which led to many casualties and damages across the railroad tracks.
The front sections of two trains collided on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line and traffic has been halted, ADIF said in a tweet on X.
According to Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha region, 397 passengers were on the Renfe train, and 147 on the Iryo train.
Iryo, an Italian-operated rail company, say that it had put in its security measures and was closely coordinating with authorities after the incident.
Human Error Under Investigation
Initial reports have suggested that the failure may have been due to a human error by a person from the public services working on a large signalling problem. The AVE train was reported to have failed to alert other trains of its approach to the Iryo train. But the cause of the accident will have to be determined by officials.
Spanish Prime Minister Responds
In a grimness no stranger in the 21st century, I was “shocked” by the tragedy,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking of the incident, as the second such accident of the nation’s high-speed train haulage system this year.
The incident has left authorities to investigate, and emergency services are still responding to the aftermath. Rail operations on the affected line are suspended as officials determine the situation and what caused the accident.