In brief
A high‑speed train collision near Urda in Toledo province on October 28 killed at least 68 people and injured dozens. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed two nationals were injured, one with minor injuries and the other still hospitalized. Spanish authorities are investigating the crash while the country declares three days of mourning.
A high‑speed train struck a stationary train at the outskirts of Urda near Toledo in Spain’s Castilla‑La Mancha region on Wednesday, October 28, killing at least 68 people and injuring many.
According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, two of the passengers were South Korean nationals. One sustained only minor injuries and was discharged from hospital, while the other remains hospitalized, Yonhap reported.
Al Jazeera cited that about 80 people were injured in the crash, whereas United Press International said the injury toll was closer to 100, indicating a discrepancy in the figures reported by different outlets.
The collision involved a Renfe AVE high‑speed train driven from Madrid to Seville and an Iryo train that was stationary on the track. UPI noted that a computer failure apparently allowed the Renfe train to move after a red signal, after a rail control center instructed the driver to proceed, which may have triggered the collision.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning, saying “the whole of Spain is grieving.” Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the crash may have been caused by “human error” in “inexplicable” circumstances.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince sent messages of condolence to King Felipe VI, expressing sympathy for the Spanish people and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
Spanish rescuers and emergency services are combing the wreckage, with more than 300 personnel on the scene, Reuters reported. The search is focused on locating any survivors amid the twisted rails and shattered carriages.
