Sixty-nine victims identified in Spanish high-speed train collision

On October 28, 2026, a tragic collision between two high-speed trains occurred near Urda, approximately 130 to 150 kilometers south of Madrid, Spain. A passenger train operated by the state company Renfe struck the rear of a stationary Iryo private train, which had stopped due to a signal control system malfunction. The accident resulted in 69 deaths, with authorities confirming all victims have now been identified.

Among the deceased were 54 Spanish nationals and 15 foreign citizens. Initial reports confirmed the loss of individuals from the United States, France, Canada, Japan, Tunisia, Portugal, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, including prominent cell biologist Marta Shahbazi. This incident marks the second major rail disaster in Spain within nine months, following an accident in Andalusia in January 2026 that claimed 46 lives.

Official investigations are currently focused on the failure of security signaling systems and the decision-making process at the control center that allowed the Renfe train to proceed despite the stationary train ahead. The Spanish government is facing significant public and political pressure regarding the maintenance and safety protocols of the national rail network.