Summary

  • Spain's Civil Guard tell the BBC their priority is to continue to identify victims of yesterday's train crash, which killed at least 69 people - key details to know

  • Police have appealed to families of the passengers to provide DNA samples to help them

  • Former minister Fátima Báñez was among those killed in the crash, Spain's employment ministry confirms

  • Some people have taken to social media to ask for information to help find their loved ones: they're posting details of which train they were on, desperate for any news, writes the BBC's Sarah Rainsford

  • Last night, protesters gathered outside the Spanish transport ministry demanding accountability over the crash

  • The disaster occurred when a train travelling from Madrid to Seville barrelled into a stationary train on Wednesday morning

  • Audio recordings appear to show that one high-speed train was given clearance to move even though another had stalled some 25km (15 miles) up ahead

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Live Reporting

Edited by Jenna Moon and Caitlin Doherty, with teams reporting from Spain

  1. Images show overturned train carriages following collision

    We're now receiving images from the scene of the collision.

    Emergency workers can be seen at the site of the crash, where train carriages have overturned and toppled down the embankment.

    Several people are reported to have died.

    Train carriages turned over on a steep embankment.EPA
    Derailed and overturned carriages.EPA
    Emergency workers standing on a roadside.EPA

  2. More than 500 passengers were travelling on the trains involved in the crash

    Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the government of Castilla-La Mancha region, tella TVE that one of the trains - managed by the Iryo company - was carrying 146 passengers plus one baby, while the Renfe-managed train had 397 passengers on board.

    "The number of confirmed deaths, currently at 10, will almost certainly rise," she said. "The situation is going to worsen."

  3. Another tragedy on Spain's high-speed rail network

    Paul Kirby
    Europe digital editor

    Wrecked and overturned rail carriages.EPA

    The Adamuz collision was Spain’s worst rail tragedy since 2013

    For Spaniards, this rail crash near Urda brings back very painful memories.

    It was only last January when a high-speed train derailed in southern Spain, and its rear carriages went into the path of a state-run Renfe train, claiming the lives of 46 people.

    The Adamuz collision was Spain’s worst rail tragedy since 2013 and cast doubts on safety on the country’s prized high-speed rail network.

    This latest disaster is further south but again it involves a Renfe train and another run by private operator Iryo.

    The circumstances are very different as at Adamuz there was a fracture on the track, while at Urda there appears to have been a failure involving safety mechanisms.

    But again, there are new concerns about safety on Spain’s railways.

  4. Spanish PM Sánchez 'shocked' by the rail collision

    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, an older man with short greying hair wearing a blue sweater.Reuters

    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he is "shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo".

    "I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha," Sánchez said on X, adding that emergency services were 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.”

    Sánchez and other Spanish politicians have cancelled all public engagements today, including campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections.

  5. What we know so far of the deadly rail collision in Spain

    Two high-speed trains have collided in Spain just after 09:00 (08:00 GMT) between municipalities Mora and Orgaz, just south of Madrid. Here’s what we know so far:

    • A least 10 people are dead, regional government spokesperson for the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha region Esther Padilla has told local television
    • Padilla has told Castilla-La Mancha Media the deaths could potentially increase
    • Rail operator Adif says the incident occurred between a Renfe train and another of the Iryo company, which covers the Madrid to Seville route
    • All trains on this line have been stopped at stations along the route, Adif says on X
    • Mayor of the nearby town of Urda, Manuel Galan, has also told Spanish public broadcaster TVE “there are people injured”
    • A spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services has told AFP “all resources are currently being deployed” including “several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units”

  6. At least 10 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid, regional official says

    A high-speed train has crashed into the back of another train at Urda, with at least two carriages taken off the tracks.

    • This is a breaking news story - we'll bring you more details as we get them.