At least 30 killed in high-speed train collision in Spain; Ukraine checks for possible casualties
At least 30 people were killed when two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on October 28, according to regional authorities cited by Reuters. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is checking whether any Ukrainian citizens were among the victims.
The collision occurred near Urda, south of Madrid, shortly after 9 a.m., involving trains operated by Renfe and Iryo. More than 540 passengers were aboard the two trains, according to hromadske's reporting.
Two carriages of the Iryo train derailed following the collision. Rail services connecting Madrid with the southern Andalusia region were suspended.
The Castilla-La Mancha regional government initially reported 10 deaths before raising the toll to at least 30. Rescue and recovery operations were continuing, and authorities warned that the number could rise further.
Spanish media reported that one train may have struck another that had stopped because of problems on the line. The cause of the collision has not been officially established.
Hospitals in Toledo, Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan suspended planned surgeries to accommodate casualties, according to Spanish news agency EFE, as cited by the BBC. Blood banks in Madrid and Toledo also appealed for donations.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was shocked by the accident and was in contact with the transport minister.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry told hromadske it was checking whether Ukrainian nationals were among those killed or injured. No information about Ukrainian casualties had been confirmed at the time of the ministry's response.
The collision occurred nine months after another crash involving trains operated by the same companies on the Madrid–Andalusia line. That accident, near Adamuz in January, killed 46 people, according to Reuters.
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