AI-generated illustration

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said confidence in the country's high-speed rail system has been shaken after two fast trains collided near Toledo on October 28, killing 69 people. Sanchez promised that the government would come up with solutions to rebuild that trust and prevent another accident of similar scale.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente Santiago rejected opposition calls to resign over the crash, while railway and train driver unions announced a strike for November 10-12.

Sanchez visits coordination centre in Toledo

Sanchez spoke to reporters after visiting the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi) in Toledo, accompanied by Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, and Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska.

"Confidence in our country's high-speed train system is being shaken," Sanchez said, and pledged that the government would produce solutions to restore that trust and avoid other train accidents of this magnitude.

Sanchez said victims were found among the dead and injured from 27 different nationalities. "All government departments and all public servants are working tirelessly to provide the families of the victims with information as quickly and reliably as possible," Sanchez said.

Puente rules out resignation and defends safety record

Puente held a press briefing on the investigation into the crash. Like Sanchez, the minister said trust in Spanish rail transport had been "destroyed" after the second high-speed train accident this year, while adding that confidence in the system persisted. "If I did not have confidence and belief, I would not travel by train myself, and I would not allow any member of my family to do so," Puente said. "The events that occurred are extremely exceptional. We have to win this trust back."

Puente argued that the fault in the LZB system at Urda station, cited as one of the factors behind the crash, was normal by European standards. The minister said 170 incidents involving the LZB safety system had occurred so far in 2026 and that the number was within European norms.

Puente also rejected claims of staffing shortages, saying the number of personnel in inspection and regulatory roles had been increased significantly in recent years. "A train colliding from behind with a stopped train is unacceptable," Puente said. "Trains always break down. Whatever the reason a train has stopped, what matters is that it has stopped, and there is no train operating behind it on the same line."

Asked about the opposition's demands for his resignation, Puente said: "My responsibility is to stand before you and the public and give an account." Puente said he would not resign.

Rail unions call a strike for November 10-12

Trade unions representing railway workers and train drivers called a strike for November 10-12.

The SFF-CGT union said most of the problems on Spain's railways remained unresolved and that the latest crash once again showed the need to keep the debate about the rail model and the working conditions of those who support it open.

How the collision happened

The accident occurred at 08:54 local time (10:54 Turkish time) on October 28. A Renfe AVE high-speed train running from Madrid to Seville struck an Iryo high-speed train that was stopped in the same direction between the settlements of Urda and Los Yébenes in the Toledo region. Sixty-nine people died and more than 50 were injured.

Initial findings indicated that the crash was caused by human error in the main signalling system. The AVE had been ordered to continue despite a red light and was travelling at between 170 and 200 km/h, faster than normal.

Key takeaways

• Two high-speed trains collided near Toledo on October 28, killing 69 people and injuring more than 50.
• Sanchez said confidence in Spain's high-speed rail system has been shaken and promised government solutions.
• Puente rejected calls to resign and said a train hitting a stopped train from behind is unacceptable.
• Railway and train driver unions called a strike for November 10-12.