Spain train crash kills 64, death toll feared to rise

URDA: Rescue workers in Spain were searching through the wreckage on Wednesday after a devastating collision between two high-speed trains killed at least 64 people, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise further.

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Emiliano Garcia-Page, leader of the Castilla-La Mancha region, told reporters at the scene that the number of fatalities was approximately 64, revising an earlier estimate of 31. Officials said the cause of the collision and the number of injured passengers were still being determined.

The accident occurred shortly after 9am local time on the Madrid-Seville high-speed railway line, involving trains operated by Renfe and Iryo. According to a regional government spokesperson, two carriages of an Iryo train derailed during the incident.

Rail operator Adif confirmed that services on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line had been suspended following the collision.

Emergency services deployed hundreds of ambulances, funeral vehicles and helicopters to the scene. At least three carriages plunged down an embankment, leaving twisted metal and broken train components scattered beneath an elevated section of track.

Evacuated passengers were seen walking along a nearby road, some with bloodstained clothing and bandaged injuries. Volunteers from neighbouring towns provided water and assistance to survivors.

A passenger identified as Miguel told Spanish radio station COPE that he heard an enormous impact lasting several seconds before seeing a wrecked train through the window.

Authorities also asked the nearby town of Urda to prepare emergency accommodation, including a sports hall, for displaced passengers and injured people.

The disaster marks the second deadly high-speed railway collision in Spain this year. A separate crash near Adamuz, in Cordoba province, in January killed 46 people and sparked public debate over railway maintenance and investment.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed shock over the latest accident, offering condolences and support to victims and their families. His official schedule was cleared for the day, while the opposition People’s Party cancelled campaign events.

Pakistan also expressed solidarity with Spain. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply grieved by the tragedy and extended condolences to Sanchez and the Spanish people. President Asif Ali Zardari likewise conveyed sympathy to bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Investigations are expected to establish the circumstances behind the collision as rescue teams continue searching the wreckage.