Spain, collision between trains on the Madrid-Andalusia line. Dozens dead. "Human Error"

Two high-speed trains collided in Spain, on the line connecting Madrid to the Andalusia region, in the south of the country, which was suspended. Several carriages derailed, there are dozens of victims and injuries: the provisional toll speaks of at least 46 dead and almost 200 injured, some of which are very serious.

Probable human error

The collision was probably caused by human error: according to executive sources, reported by El Pais, "a human error on the part of an Adif operator during a fault in the main signaling system" was assessed.

According to what was gathered by the technicians present on site, the Iryo AV train was stopped at the signal near Toledo following the indication of the ADIF infrastructure manager due to a degradation of the LZB signaling system. The Infrastructure Manager was providing instructions to all trains running on the line indicating the so-called "visual running" at a speed of 40 km/h. At that moment, a Renfe high-speed train hit the stationary train at high speed, causing some carriages of both trains to leave the tracks.

The possible dynamics

The collision occurred at kilometer 119+700 of the Madrid-Seville high-speed line, in the Urda area (Toledo), near an Adif train depot and marshalling yard. This is the second very serious accident in 10 months on the Spanish high-speed line. The accident occurred at 8.54am and firefighters from the Alcàzar de San Juan and Orgaz stations, the Civil Protection of several neighboring cities, three rescue helicopters and two intensive care units intervened on the scene.

The Ave (high-speed) train left the capital at 8. The route included a single scheduled stop, in Cordoba; therefore, no stop was planned either in Ciudad Real or Puertollano. The Ave train hit an Iryo convoy while the latter was stopped at the station.

The EFE agency reports that two carriages fell down an embankment.

The Iryo train - identified as convoy 6076 - carried 146 passengers and a newborn, while the Ave train - identified as convoy 2080 - had 397 passengers on board. The injured are cared for in a field hospital set up at the site of the accident, before being transferred to the hospitals of Toledo and Alcàzar de San Juan.

Telephone line activated

Renfe has activated a telephone line, the number 900 10 10 20, as part of its assistance plan for victims of train accidents and their families. The regional government of Castile-La Mancha has put emergency protocols in place. Support services for families, including psychological assistance, have been set up in Atocha station. The region of Andalusia is also providing medical resources.

Parties suspend election campaigns

The Spanish parties have suspended their electoral campaign initiatives following the very serious train accident. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez canceled his commitments. Sanchez's office has not yet confirmed whether the prime minister will travel to the site of the accident today, but Transport Minister Oscar Puente is already on his way to Toledo. The People's Party has announced the suspension of all electoral campaign events scheduled for the November 29 elections. The Frente Amplio also announced in a statement the suspension of all its events and media appearances.