Two high-speed trains collide south of Madrid, killing at least 68 people

Summary

Two high-speed trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided south of Madrid on Wednesday, October 28, and rescue operations continued into the evening. Reports put the death toll at 68 with more than 100 injured, and authorities said the figure could rise; one earlier France 24 report gave 64, and a France 24 report published on October 29 put it at 69. Transport Minister Oscar Puente described an "error" and "inexplicable circumstances" behind the collision, and said one train was told to continue its journey despite a "red signal" being in effect. RTÉ reported that he said the train was ordered to restart in error. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of mourning. France 24 described the crash as one of Europe's deadliest such disasters this century and the second such accident to strike Spain this year, which raises questions about rail safety. Hindustan Times reported that a union has called for the minister to resign and that election campaigns have been halted.

Timeline

1. RTÉ

   28 Oct 2026, 13:37 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that the death toll stood at 68 following a deadly train crash in Spain, and that the minister said a train was ordered to restart in error.

2. Deutsche Welle

   28 Oct 2026, 14:33 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that two high-speed trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided south of Madrid, leaving 68 dead, that Prime Minister Sánchez declared three days of mourning, and that the transport minister said one train was told to continue despite a "red signal" being in effect.

3. France 24

   28 Oct 2026, 14:43 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that a high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 64 people on Wednesday, with the toll likely to rise, and that Transport Minister Oscar Puente gave details at a press conference.

4. France 24

   28 Oct 2026, 19:32 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the collision killed 68 people and injured more than 100, that the transport minister spoke of an "error" and "inexplicable circumstances", and that it is the second such accident to strike Spain this year.

5. Hindustan Times

   28 Oct 2026, 22:37 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that at least 68 people died when two high-speed trains collided in Spain, that a union wants the transport minister to resign, and that election campaigns have been halted.

6. France 24

   29 Oct 2026, 12:53 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the Spanish train crash has killed 69 people and injured scores more, and that the transport minister described an "error" and "inexplicable circumstances" behind one of Europe's deadliest train disasters this century.