At least 30 killed as two high-speed trains crash in central Spain
At least 30 people have been killed in a crash between two trains in central Spain, local media reported on Wednesday, as emergency services responded to the crash in the province of Toledo.
Spain’s rail infrastructure operator ADIF said the accident occurred on Wednesday morning, prompting the suspension of rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
At least 30 people have been killed in the crash, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha said.
The cause of the crash and full details of casualties are still being determined.
Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported that the collision involved two high-speed trains travelling in the same direction, with one train striking the rear of the other and knocking two carriages.
“The information we are receiving is not good at all,” a spokeswoman for the government of the Castilla-La Mancha region, told local media.
“There are at least 10 dead, and it is possible that the number will increase.”
“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, near where the incident took place just after 9am local time.
The mayor of another nearby village, Jesus Perez of Los Yebenes, told Spanish TV that the accident appeared “serious.”
El Pais cited witnesses describing numerous injuries and the arrival of emergency medical teams 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.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was “shocked” by the “serious” accident.
“Emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations,” he wrote on social media. “My affection, solidarity and support to all the victims and their families.”