In brief
A high-speed train collided with a stationary train near Urda, Spain, on the Madrid‑Seville line, killing 74 people and injuring up to 100. Two South Korean passengers were among those injured, one with minor wounds and the other still hospitalized. Spanish authorities are investigating a computer and signalling error that allowed the moving train to depart despite a red signal.
A high-speed train ran into a stationary train on the Madrid‑Seville line near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday, killing 74 people and injuring up to 100 passengers. The rear of a Renfe AVE train struck the back of an Iryo high-speed carriage, causing two carriages to derail and roll onto an embankment.
South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed that two South Korean nationals were aboard the trains and that one sustained minor injuries and was discharged from a hospital, while the other remains hospitalized. The ministry noted that 11 Korean passengers were confirmed aboard the trains as of 6:40 a.m. Thursday.
Spanish authorities say a computer failure initially paused six trains, including the ones involved. Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the control centre told a driver to depart under a red signal, a decision he called a clear and inexplicable error. The crash is under investigation for possible signalling failures and human error.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a three-day national mourning period from October 29 to 31. He warned that if negligence was found, it would be revealed, and called for a strong response to any system failures.
International condolences followed. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed sent a message of sympathy to King Felipe VI, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered condolences to the Spanish prime minister. The reaction highlighted the incident’s impact on global diplomatic communities.
