In brief
A high‑speed train collision near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province killed at least 68 people and injured around 80. The Korean foreign ministry reports that two South Korean nationals were hurt; one recovered, the other remains hospitalized. Spanish officials say a control‑center error may have allowed a train to depart with a red signal on, and investigations are underway while international leaders send condolences.
Two South Korean nationals were among those injured when a high‑speed train collided with a stationary carriage near Urda in Toledo province, Spain, officials said on Thursday. At least 68 people died in the crash, which involved a Renfe Express (AVE) train and an Iryo carriage traveling from Madrid to Seville, according to Korean and Spanish sources.
The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that only one of the two injured passengers sustained minor wounds and was discharged from a hospital after treatment, while the other remains hospitalized. The ministry said it had verified that 11 Korean passengers were aboard the trains at the time of the accident and that it would continue to monitor any additional casualties.
Spanish authorities report the collision occurred early Wednesday when the moving Renfe train slammed into the rear of a stopped Iryo train, derailing two carriages that rolled onto an embankment. Roughly 80 passengers were injured; authorities say 50 were seriously injured and 15 critically wounded. In response, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning from October 29 to 31.
According to the Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente, a computer error paused six moving trains across a 40‑mile stretch of track before the control centre decided to allow the Renfe train to proceed without speed restrictions, despite a red signal. Puente said the decision was made "under inexplicable circumstances." A former UPI quote: "In the event of a system failure, the control centre takes over," the minister said, citing Adif’s role in managing Spain’s railways.
"Today the whole of Spain is grieving," Sánchez said at the scene, a statement reproduced by UPI. Spanish officials are investigating whether a signalling failure or human error caused the tragedy, and regional leaders have called for stricter safety measures.
International reactions have been swift. The UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, along with Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Vice President Sheikh Mansour, sent messages of condolence and offered support for the recovery of the wounded. In Riyadh, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman wrote a cable expressing deep sympathy to King Felipe VI, the families of the victims, and the Spanish people, wishing a quick recovery for the injured. The Kingdom of Japan’s foreign ministry noted that two Japanese nationals may have been aboard, as indicated by passenger lists in the crash, although no formal statement on casualties had yet been issued. Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that no Bulgarian nationals were injured and that it would monitor the situation from Valencia.
The accident has also drawn criticism from labour unions. Spanish trade unionist CSIF called for the resignation of Transport Minister Puente after his comments on the control‑centre decision, accusing the ministry of "shifting the blame" and highlighting possible overwork among Adif staff. Police in Madrid clashed with protestors demanding resignations of officials connected to the crash, according to UPI coverage.
While the death toll is consistently reported as 68, some local media have issued preliminary numbers of 64 deaths, suggesting that the figure may rise as investigations continue. The Spanish railway operator Renfe announced that services on the Madrid‑Seville corridor would remain suspended for the remainder of the day while crews search for survivors and assess the damage.
In light of the tragedy, Spanish authorities have appealed for calm and cooperation from the public, urging that the investigation be conducted transparently. Yonhap media reports that the Korean embassy is maintaining close contact with Spanish officials, while Al Jazeera has been following the event from the early hours of the collision, reporting the immediate emergency response and the official statement from the Castilla‑La Mancha region.
As the investigation unfolds, international observers will be watching closely to determine whether system failures, signalling errors, or human mistakes were responsible for the high‑speed rail disaster. The event underscores a broader concern over railway safety amid rapid expansion of high‑speed services across Europe. For now, the focus remains on delivering medical care to the wounded, supporting the victims’ families, and honoring those who lost their lives in the deadly collision near Urda.
