Over 40 reported dead as two high-speed trains collide near Madrid in central Spain

A major and harrowing rail accident took place in central Spain on Wednesday (October 28) morning. Two high-speed trains collided head-on near the town of Urda in Toledo province. More than 40 passengers are reported to have died and many others were injured. Grief is being expressed around the world over the accident.

According to the information available, the accident occurred at about 8.54 am. An AVE high-speed train of the company Renfe rammed into the rear of a train of the company Iryo. The Iryo train carried 147 passengers, while 397 passengers were travelling on the Renfe train. Preliminary information also suggests that the train was stationary at the time of the accident.

The impact was so strong that some coaches derailed and fell onto a nearby slope. The coaches having fallen onto the slope has made the rescue work more difficult. There is an atmosphere of fear across the area. Given the seriousness of the accident, there are fears that the death toll could rise further.

On learning of the accident, teams of the fire brigade, police and civil defence, along with medical staff, reached the spot. Special rescue teams are being used to pull out the injured. Rescue workers are struggling hard to extricate many passengers from the coaches. Medical helicopters and mobile intensive care units have also been deployed to take the critically injured to hospital. Nearby hospitals have been put on alert and arrangements for emergency treatment have been made.

After the accident, high-speed train services between Madrid and the southern province of Andalusia have been halted in both directions. Thousands of passengers are facing difficulties in their journeys. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has expressed grief over the accident and is monitoring the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised about railway safety arrangements and the signalling system. However, the exact cause of the accident is not yet clear. The agencies concerned are investigating the matter thoroughly.