TRAIN COLLISION KILLS AT LEAST 10 IN SPAIN

Two high-speed trains collided in Toledo province in central Spain on Wednesday morning, according to rail infrastructure manager Adif. Esther Padilla, a spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, said authorities could confirm 10 deaths. Another reported figure put the toll at at least 46 and the number of injured at more than 100. Adif said the trains collided from behind on the Madrid–Seville line, between Los Yébenes and Urda. “Traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed rail line has been suspended following a rear-end collision between two trains,” Adif said.

Padilla said an Iryo train carried 146 passengers and one baby, while a Renfe train carried 397 passengers. A state broadcaster reported that the collision knocked two carriages off the track. Footage showed a derailed carriage on an elevated section of track and wreckage on the embankment below. Passenger Sebastián Herrero said rescuers were pulling people from the rear carriages of the Iryo train. Padilla said police and emergency services were at the scene.

Urda mayor Manuel Galán said emergency services had asked him to prepare a sports hall for injured people. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was in contact with the transport minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha. He said emergency services were working with the authorities to assist those affected. Opposition People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said the priority was to attend to victims and support their families. Spain’s main political parties suspended their planned activities for the day ahead of next month’s general election.