Dozens feared dead after two trains collide south of Madrid

Two trains collide south of MadridDozens of people are feared dead after a Spanish high-speed train collided with another train south of the capital, Madrid.

More than 500 passengers were travelling on the trains involved, and an initial death toll of 10 “will almost certainly rise”, the spokesperson for the regional government says.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he is “shocked by the serious train accident” and is in constant contact with the transport minister.

Rail operator Adif says the incident occurred between a Renfe train and another of the Iryo company, which covers the Madrid to Seville route.

“It was a catastrophe” – a 17-year-old, who was travelling on one of the trains, tells a Spanish broadcaster there was “chaos” at the scene.

A blood transfusion centre in Madrid is appealing for “urgent” donations following the train crash south of the capital.

Centro de Transfusión requested the donations “in the face of a possible sudden increase in care needs” in a post on X earlier this morning, external.

The Toledo Blood Bank is also appealing for donations following the crash, according to Spanish media.

Hospitals in the area have suspended planned surgeries as they deal with an influx of patients from the crash, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

It reported that facilities in Toledo, Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan have cancelled procedures as casualties from the crash begin to arrive.

The situation at the crash site in Spain is developing quickly. Here is what we know so far:

The death toll near Urda, south of Madrid, has risen to “a minimum” of 30, regional government sources tell Spanish media

More than 500 passengers were travelling on the two trains involved

It is feared the death toll could increase further, while images from the scene show some carriages derailed

Eduarda, 17, tells broadcaster Cadena Ser it was “chaos” and “a lot of people couldn’t get out”

The cause has not been confirmed, though reports in Spain suggest a high-speed train hit another train which had stopped on the tracks

A huge emergency response is under way, involving several fire crews and helicopters

Trains services in the area have been suspended