Kathmandu. The death toll has risen to 68 after two high-speed trains collided in the province of Toledo in the central region of Spain. 80 people were injured in the accident. High-speed train services between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended following the accident.
The accident happened at about 8:54 a.m. local time on Wednesday near the Urda area on the Madrid-Sevia high-speed railway. The cause of the accident has not been revealed.
Trains operated by Spanish train companies Renfe and Erio were involved in the accident. According to Renfe, after the collision near Urda station, the rear two coaches of the Erio train came out of the leak.
In the scene published by the local media, pieces of the train were seen scattered on the railway track and in the nearby steep area. Rescue workers were carrying out rescue work at the accident site, while some passengers were seen leaving the scene carrying their belongings.
After the accident, the Spanish Civil Guard mobilized more security personnel. Traffic police, aerial surveillance teams, drone operators and forensic investigators specialized in investigating major disasters were also mobilized.
According to officials, the work of rescuing, treating and managing the injured was carried out in coordination with the civil defense team of Castilla-La Mancha region. The Rail Infrastructure Management Agency has announced that the high-speed train service operating in both directions between Madrid and Andalusia has been suspended following the accident.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Health Minister Monica Garcia have expressed their sorrow over the accident and expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He also mentioned that rescue and emergency service teams have deployed at the scene in coordination with the relevant agencies to ensure the rescue and safety of the affected. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron have also expressed their grief over the incident and expressed their solidarity with the victims.