King Salman and Crown Prince extend condolences to King of Spain over train tragedy

A devastating train collision in central Spain resulted in at least 68 deaths and over 50 serious injuries on Wednesday, according to the transport minister. The tragic accident occurred near Urda, approximately 130 kilometers south of Madrid. The death count might increase as rescue workers have yet to reach the interiors of all the affected carriages. President Emiliano García-Page of the Castilla-La Mancha region provided the update at the scene.

The collision involved a train operated by private company Iryo, which was stationary, and a train operated by state-owned railway company Renfe. The Iryo train and one Renfe carriage derailed, plunging down a railway embankment. A total of 540 passengers were onboard the two trains, both traveling south from Madrid towards Andalusia. The source does not provide information on whether any foreign nationals were among the victims.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente blamed the collision on an "inexplicable" and "wrong" decision made at a rail control center. He mentioned that the automatic train protection system had not been restored due to a computer failure, which had halted all trains on a 63-kilometer stretch of track. Despite this, the Renfe train was permitted to continue its journey, and it subsequently collided with the stationary Iryo train.

The minister stated that an investigation would determine whether human error was responsible. The railway employee involved in the decision-making process has not yet been questioned.

Emergency services, including firefighters, civil protection teams from surrounding communities, three rescue helicopters, and mobile intensive care units, were deployed to the scene. Local hospitals have requested blood donations. Rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended in both directions, causing major disruptions and long queues at railway stations throughout Spain.