'Collision at 160-200kmph': Chilling details from Spain crash that killed 69

A catastrophic train collision in Spain on Wednesday morning resulted in 69 deaths and over 200 injuries. The incident occurred at the entrance to Urda station in Toledo province, when a high-speed Renfe train collided with a stationary Iryo train at speeds between 160 and 200 kmph. The Iryo train, carrying 147 passengers and five crew members, was stationary near a signal when struck from behind by an eight-carriage Renfe AVE train with 379 passengers and seven crew members.

The impact caused the Renfe train's leading carriage to become embedded in the Iryo train's rear carriage, leading both to overturn and end up at the railway embankment's base. The remaining six Renfe carriages and three Iryo carriages remained on the track, while the rest derailed, some falling down the embankment. Initial investigations pointed to a failure in the railway signalling system, which forced trains to operate on an alternative Lateral Signalling Block system, leading to a series of failures and communications between control centers and train drivers. All possible explanations remain open as the investigation continues.