Death toll in Spain train crash rises to at least 30, with rescue and recovery operations ongoing

Live

Catastrophe

October 28, 2026

Two high speed trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided in central Spain south of Madrid. Officials warn that the death toll is likely to increase. Follow DW

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlkF

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• At least 30 people have died after two high-speed trains collided near Toledo
• The crash has caused a 'significant number' of injuries
• Officials warn that casualty figures are expected to climb
• Authorities say more than 500 people were on board the two trains

Here are the latest updates from the high-speed train crash in Spain on Wednesday, October 28:

Skip next section Spain train crash: what do we know?

October 28, 2026

Spain train crash: what do we know?

Images from the scene showed at least two severely damaged train carriages flipped over on their side after tumbling down an embankment.

One of the trains, operated by AVE, was reportedly carrying 397 passengers while the other, operated by IRYO, had 146 people on board, according to the Castilla-La Mancha local government spokeswoman.

A reporter for local broadcaster TVE described scenes of "absolute chaos" and a constant stream of ambulances and emergency vehicles.

The El Pais newspaper cited witnesses describing numerous injuries and ​ emergency medical teams arriving at the scene.

"All resources are currently being deployed," spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services told the AFP news agency, including "several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units."

In a post on social media, rail operator Adif confirmed that "traffic ​on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed rail line ​has been suspended following a rear-end collision ​between two trains."

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlmG

Skip next section Train passenger: 'We heard a massive roar'

Published October 28, 2026last updated October 28, 2026

Train passenger: 'We heard a massive roar'

A passenger on one of the trains involved in Wednesday's deadly crash has described the moment the collision occured.

"We heard a massive roar, a truly ​enormous thud ‌that went on for 10 seconds as if the train were about to derail," Miguel told local radio station COPE.

"Through the right-hand window, we could see a wrecked train – I imagine it must have been the other one."

https://p.dw.com/p/5OlnF

Skip next section Train collision in Spain kills at least 30, injures many

October 28, 2026

Train collision in Spain kills at least 30, injures many

At least 30 people were killed in a train crash in central Spain on Wednesday morning, authorities told Spanish national news agency EFE.

"The information we are receiving is not good at all," a spokesperson for the government of the Castilla-La Mancha region said.

"There has been a collision between two trains [and] there are injured people," added Manuel Galans, mayor of the town of Urda in the province of Toledo, close to where the incident took place just after 9 a.m. local time.

The mayor of another nearby village, Jesus Perez of Los Yebenes, told Spanish TV that the accident appeared "serious."

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia told national broadcaster TVE that it was a "high impact accident, it will be a major tragedy" but said it was too soon to confirm a final casualty figure.

"We don't just need help from nearby hospitals, we need nearby hospitals that have ICU beds," she added.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ollm

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

October 28, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

There has been a major accident in central Spain, where a high-speed train have collided with another that had stopped. 

At least 30 people have been killed and there are "a significant number" of injured, as officials say that toll is very likely to climb.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Olkj

Show more posts