Two high-speed trains collide in Spain, killing at least 30 in Toledo province

Two high-speed trains crashed into each other in central Spain's Toledo province Wednesday morning, leaving at least 30 people dead and roughly 100 injured, according to a local government official and emergency services. A spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government told CNN the toll is likely to rise. Emergency crews got the first word of the collision at 8:45 a.m. local time.

The wreck involved a train operated by Iryo and an AVE train run by Renfe, Spain's state-owned rail company, according to the regional 112 emergency service. Officials said the Iryo train was either stopped or crawling when the AVE train struck it. Part of the AVE train left the tracks, while several Iryo carriages derailed. A military emergency unit has been deployed, an advanced command post is set up near the site, and the Red Cross is running a shelter in the town of Urda for the injured and anyone needing food or supplies.

Passenger numbers are still being nailed down. Regional government spokesperson Esther Padilla said one train carried 146 passengers plus a baby, and the other had 397 aboard, according to CMM Noticias. Emergency services had earlier estimated about 400 people on each train. CNN says it has reached out to both rail operators and hasn't heard back.

The crash happened between the towns of Mora, Orgaz and Urda, on the line linking Madrid with Seville, according to railway infrastructure manager ADIF. The high-speed route connecting the Madrid region with Andalusia has been suspended. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on X that he was shocked by the 'serious train incident' and sent his affection and support to the victims and their families.

This is Spain's third rail disaster in 2026. In January, two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz in Córdoba province, killing more than 40 people and injuring over a hundred — the country's worst rail accident since 79 people died in Galicia in 2013. Days after Adamuz, a commuter train derailed near Barcelona in heavy rain, killing the driver and injuring dozens.

Condolences poured in from Spain's football giants. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid all released statements, with Real Madrid offering its support to those affected and to the emergency crews on scene. A journalist from Spanish radio station Capital Radio who was aboard one of the trains shared the first eyewitness video with CNN, showing mangled carriage wreckage beside the tracks.