Two South Korean nationals were among the injured when a high‑speed train collided with a stationary train near Urda in Toledo province, Spain, on Thursday, killing at least 68 people. The Korea foreign ministry said one passenger sustained minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital, while the other remains hospitalized, marking the first confirmed detail of the international impact of the crash.
The collision involved a Renfe AVE high‑speed train from Madrid to Seville that struck the rear of an Iryo carriage that had stopped on the Madrid‑Seville line. The impact derailed two carriages, causing them to roll onto an embankment.
Around 80 passengers were reported injured, with roughly 50 suffering serious injuries and 15 in critical condition. Spanish authorities have declared a three‑day period of national mourning from October 29 to 31, and haemostatic units and the Military Emergencies Unit are working on the scene.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI expressed national grief, and the Spanish transport minister, Oscar Puente, said a computer failure had allowed a train to depart with a red signal in place, which contributed to the collision. Critics have called for the resignation of the transport minister over the incident.
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with Vice Presidents Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent messages of condolence to King Felipe VI, the families of victims, and the Spanish public.
Kyodo News reported that two Japanese nationals may have been on the trains involved, although that claim appears only in the Kyodo report and is not corroborated by other outlets.
