Collision between high-speed trains leaves at least 64 dead in Spain
Accident in the Toledo region also left 80 injured and interrupted rail traffic between Madrid and Andalucia
Two high-speed trains collided on Wednesday morning in the Toledo region of central Spain. According to information from the G1, attributed to the spokeswoman of the government of Castilla-La Mancha, Ester Padilla, at least 64 people died and 80 others were injured. The balance can still increase.
The crash involved a composition of the operator Renfe, with 397 people on board, and another of Iryo, which carried 147 passengers. The collision occurred near the towns of Mora, Orgaz and Urda and caused the derailment of wagons.
Emergency teams were mobilized to rescue the victims. Images of the site show damaged wagons and debris scattered by a ravine on the banks of the railway.
According to a source heard by Reuters, cited by g1, the Iryo train was stopped by determination of Adif, responsible for railway infrastructure, after a signalling failure, when it was hit by the composition of Renfe. The circumstances and causes of the accident remain under investigation.
Passengers reported a strong impact, followed by scenes of destruction. Survivors said they had to leave the wagons and descend a ravine to reach a safe place.
The railway between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia was interrupted. Local authorities have also prepared a gym in the city of Urda to receive wounded. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, lamented the tragedy and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Health Minister Monica Garcia has called for blood donations.
