Train collision in Spain leaves at least 30 dead

A collision between two high-speed trains south of Madrid killed at least 30 people on Wednesday, regional authorities said, with the toll possibly rising. The accident occurred in the central region of Castilla-La Mancha, according to media reports. Images shared by local media showed the wreckage of two trains on the tracks and an embankment as emergency services rushed to the scene, while shocked travellers dragged away their suitcases as they escaped.

Sources from authorities in Castilla-La Mancha told AFP that "at least 30" people had died, raising a previous toll of 10. Authorities have not yet given a figure for the wounded. Esther Padilla, spokeswoman for the government of Castilla-La Mancha, told local media CMM that "it is possible that the number will increase." A spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services told AFP that the trains collided just before 9:00 am (0800 GMT) in the municipality of Urda, around 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Madrid. "All resources are currently being deployed," the spokesperson said, including "several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units."

State railway operator Renfe confirmed in a statement that the main high-speed line from Madrid to southern Spain had been suspended after one of its services suffered an accident with a train from private Spanish company Iryo. The collision is Spain's second such disaster this year. It comes one month before Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who faced heavy criticism for the first disaster, seeks to overturn unfavourable polls in an early general election.

According to Mehr News, the accident has prompted a large emergency response, and authorities are continuing to assess the situation.