At least 69 people were killed when two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, October 28, according to ABC News, which cited a spokeswoman for the Castilla-La Mancha region. In an October 30 report, ABC examined newly leaked recordings of the instructions drivers received before the collision.
Spain’s rail infrastructure manager, Adif, identified the crash site as Urda, in Toledo province. Adif and Adif Alta Velocidad offered condolences to victims’ families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Video included in the report showed rescue crews pulling passengers from the wreckage. The collision happened on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line, linking the Spanish capital with the southern city.
More than 100 people were injured, including Americans. Emergency workers were also working to identify those killed.
On the Radio
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ABC correspondent Marcus Moore, reporting from Spain, described recordings published by Spanish media in which controllers spoke with both drivers. According to that account, both trains had stopped because of a computer malfunction. Controllers then instructed both drivers to start moving again at normal speed.
Seven minutes later, one driver reported being unable to restart, leaving that train stalled on the tracks. The second train accelerated to more than 120 mph and struck it, killing the driver of the moving train, ABC reported. A spokesperson for the train drivers’ union criticized the leaked audio, saying it told only half the picture.
Viewers beneath ABC’s video also questioned what safeguards had been in place. One commenter asked whether sensors could show the trains’ locations, speeds, and direction of travel. Another wrote, “Imagine if the trains could communicate with each other. I know, how archaic a proposal.”
At the Stations
Spain was observing three days of mourning, and the prime minister pledged to uncover every detail of the tragedy, according to ABC. Adif was coordinating with emergency services and railway companies at the crash site.
For people affected by the collision, Adif set up assistance points at Sevilla Santa Justa, Córdoba Julio Anguita, and Madrid-Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes stations. Families could also seek information through dedicated telephone lines: 900 10 10 20 for Renfe and 900 001 403 for Iryo.