Two trains collide near Toledo, south of Madrid, on the morning of the 28th… 544 passengers on board

Control center instructed trailing train to 'resume operation without speed limits' despite red signal

Consulate officials dispatched to the scene confirm 2 out of 10 Korean passengers sustained injuries

A major catastrophe occurred in central Spain near Toledo as two high-speed trains collided, leaving at least 68 people dead. While investigations indicate the disaster was caused by faulty instructions issued by a control center amid a railway signaling system failure, it has also been confirmed that two out of ten South Korean passengers on board the trains were injured.

■ A Catastrophe Triggered by Reckless Operation Resumption Orders Amid Signal Failure

On the morning of the 28th (local time) at around 8:54 AM, a high-speed train operated by the state-owned railway company Renfe struck the rear of a stationary private railway company Iryo train on the tracks in the Urda area of Toledo, in the Castilla-La Mancha region, approximately 120 km south of Madrid. The impact caused multiple cars of the Iryo train to derail and plunge down a slope, severely damaging them.

According to Spanish Minister of Transport Óscar Puente, computer errors in the train signaling system had automatically brought trains in the affected section to a stop just prior to the accident. However, the ADIF (Spain's rail infrastructure manager) control center instructed the Renfe train to resume operation without speed limits, even though red signals prohibiting train movement remained illuminated. Consequently, the Renfe train traveled about 25 km at speeds of around 200 km/h before colliding with the stationary train ahead.

■ At Least 68 Dead… 2 South Korean Passengers Injured

At the time of the accident, a total of 544 people (397 on Renfe, 147 on Iryo) were on board the two trains. The Castilla-La Mancha regional government stated that at least 68 people have died so far, with 58 receiving treatment in hospitals. Because military units, helicopters, and heavy machinery have been fully mobilized to search the mangled carriages, casualties are feared to rise further.

It was confirmed that 10 South Korean nationals were on board the train. The South Korean Embassy in Spain stated that an embassy official dispatched to the scene verified the passengers one by one, confirming that two out of the ten sustained injuries (one minor, one jaw injury) and were transported to a hospital for treatment, while the remaining eight are safe. Although initial reports from the chaotic scene varied—stating there were 6 to 9 Korean casualties—the final count was verified as two.

■ Spain Shocked by Major Disaster in 9 Months… Condolences Pour in Across Europe

Spanish society has been plunged into shock as a major railway disaster has repeated in just nine months. Back in January, a collision involving trains from the same two railway companies occurred near Adamuz in the southern province of Córdoba, resulting in 46 deaths.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who suspended his campaign schedule ahead of early general elections, held a press conference near the accident site and stated, "It is unacceptable that two high-speed rail accidents have occurred in a single year in a country like Spain. If negligence was involved, we will uncover it and take the most resolute action possible," promising a thorough investigation.

The international community also expressed unanimous condolences over the tragedy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity, calling it a "heartbreaking disaster," while European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged full support.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]