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The death toll from a collision between two high-speed passenger trains near the Spanish city of Toledo has risen to 69 after another injured person died in hospital, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha said.

Of the 110 people who needed medical treatment after the crash, 60 have been discharged and 50 remain under care, while work to identify the victims continues.

Death toll and treatment of the injured

The government of the Castilla-La Mancha region, where the crash occurred, announced that the number of people killed reached 69 after one of the hospitalized injured died. Local authorities reported that 60 of the 110 injured who required medical care have been discharged and 50 are still receiving treatment.

Officials said the condition of the four people who were seriously injured is improving.

Victim identification and foreign nationals

Efforts to identify those killed are continuing. The trains were carrying 544 passengers and included citizens of foreign countries such as China, Japan, the Philippines and Italy. One of the dead has been identified as Argentine.

Among the victims was Maria Fatima Banez Garcia, who served as minister of labour and social security and as health minister between 2011 and 2018.

Mourning period and royal visit

A three-day period of mourning declared in Spain over the crash began today. King Felipe VI was announced to travel to the crash site today.

Government response

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke after attending a meeting on monitoring and coordinating the emergency response at the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPI) in Toledo. Sanchez said every level of government would keep working day and night to clarify every detail of the crash and strengthen safety.

Sanchez backed Transport Minister Oscar Puente, whom the far right has demanded resign, and thanked the 827 people who took part in the relief work, including soldiers.

Rail disruption and ongoing inquiry

The two trains collided on 28 October between Urda and Los Yebenes near Toledo. Ticket sales for the Madrid-Andalusia line have been suspended until December because of the crash.

Debris removal at the site is continuing, and a ban on taking images has been imposed within a radius of up to two kilometres. Officials have said in all statements so far that the crash was caused by human error at the main control centre, while the investigation remains open.

Key takeaways

• The death toll near Toledo has reached 69 after another injured passenger died in hospital.
• Of 110 people treated, 60 have been discharged and 50 remain in care; four seriously injured patients are improving.
• A three-day national mourning period began today, and King Felipe VI was set to visit the crash site.
• Madrid-Andalusia line ticket sales are halted until December, and officials point to human error at the main control centre.