Rear-end collision on Spanish high-speed line kills 30, halts southern corridor

The death toll from a head-on collision between two high-speed trains in central Spain reached at least 30 on Tuesday, with officials warning that the number of casualties is likely to increase. A spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha region confirmed the figures to ABC News, noting that the accident occurred at kilometer marker 118 near the town of Urda.

Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that a Renfe train struck an Iryo train from behind. Both services were traveling south from Madrid toward Seville at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time. The impact caused two passenger coaches to leave the tracks, according to Spain's Transport Ministry.

The collision involved a total of 543 passengers. The Iryo service, identified as train 6076, was carrying 146 people, including one infant. The Renfe train had 397 passengers on board. Iryo stated that it activated emergency protocols immediately after the crash and is coordinating closely with local authorities to manage the response.

The accident has disrupted rail travel along the Southern Corridor. Iryo canceled all services departing from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha that travel south, though the company did not provide a timeline for when operations would resume. Health Minister Monica Garcia said the government is mobilizing all available resources to assist the regional government and emergency personnel.

Garcia emphasized the coordination between national and regional bodies. She stated, "We are mobilizing all the resources at our disposal and coordinating with all the relevant institutions." The minister added that she is working directly with the Castilla-La Mancha government to provide necessary support to emergency teams on the ground.