Spain's high-speed rail network has suffered its second serious accident in ten months. Two trains collided this morning on the Madrid-Seville route, leaving a provisional death toll of 10, according to EFE. Renfe has confirmed the involvement of its AVE service travelling from Madrid Puerta de Atocha (08:00) to Seville Santa Justa (10:39).
While the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear, sources familiar with the accident indicate that the Iryo train was travelling from Madrid to Seville. Following behind on the same route was another Renfe train, believed to be a Siemens unit, which reportedly struck the rear of the Iryo service.
The collision occurred at kilometre point 119.7 on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line, in the vicinity of Urda (Toledo), at what is known as an Adif passing and train stabling facility. Early on Wednesday morning, the infrastructure manager announced that "rail traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line has been suspended following a rear-end collision between two trains".
The incident took place at 08:54 local time. Fire crews from the Alcázar de San Juan and Orgaz stations are operating at the scene, alongside Civil Protection teams from several nearby towns, three air ambulances and two intensive-care emergency units. Speaking to Onda Cero radio, the Mayor of Urda said that the municipal authorities would activate a victim assistance system at local facilities. He also stated that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Transport Minister Óscar Puente were expected to travel to the site later today.
Investigators have yet to establish why the Renfe AVE train failed to stop in time. Possible causes being considered include a signalling failure or driver error. At least three coaches, numbered one, two and three, have derailed. According to EFE, two carriages have fallen down an embankment.
The full extent of the casualties and injuries remains unclear, although there is no doubt that this is a major rail disaster, the second serious incident to affect Spain's high-speed rail network in the past ten months.
Adif's statement, which provided no further details, was published on its official website and distributed through the infrastructure manager's official social media channels. Adif has informed this newspaper that further information will be released as soon as possible.