Two high-speed passenger trains collided and caused a derailment on Wednesday morning near Toledo, Spain, killing at least 10 people, according to local media, which cited Spanish officials.
The fatal accident, in which one train rear-ended another and sent two carriages down an embankment, comes after another deadly crash involving the same carriers on a southern line in January that killed 46 people, stunned Spain and created deep doubts about the security of the country’s once-vaunted rail system.
Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for Castilla-La Mancha, the region where the crash took place, told Spanish radio that she had been given a death toll of at least 10, “and we know for certain that the death toll will increase.” She said people who were in the crash were receiving medical attention.
“The incident occurred between Mora and Orgaz and Urda,” said the Adif, Spain’s rail authority. It added that the trains involved were a “Renfe train and another from the Iryo company, both covering the Madrid-Sevilla route.”
Renfe, the national rail provider, reported that high-speed service from Madrid, the nation’s capital, to the southern region of Andalusia was suspended. Local news outlets reported that there were 397 passengers aboard the Renfe train and about 150 aboard the Iryo train.
“There has been a rear-end collision,” Luis Ontoso, a spokesman for Renfe, said on Wednesday morning. “We are gathering information to assess the situation and determine the extent of the accident.”
Isaac Barrientos, a spokesman for the government’s transportation ministry, said initial reports indicated that two carriages of the Iryo train had derailed, and that all traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia route had been suspended until further notice. “We ask passengers holding tickets for travel on this high-speed line today not to go to the stations,” he said.
With early national elections set for the end of November, the crash had the potential to become an issue in an already bitter campaign about the competence of the left-wing government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“Shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo,” Mr. Sánchez, whose office canceled all scheduled meetings, wrote on social media. “Emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations. My affection, solidarity and support to all the victims and their families.”
The conservative opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, quickly voiced his own concern as well.
“I am very concerned about the information we are receiving regarding another train accident,” he wrote on social media. “The priority now is to assist the victims and support their families. My full support goes to the emergency teams working on the ground.”
His Popular Party canceled all its campaign events around the country.
José Bautista contributed reporting from Madrid.
