Two trains collided in Spain just south of the capital Madrid on Wednesday morning. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.

Rail operator Adif says the incident occurred between a Renfe train and another of the Iryo company, which covers the Madrid to Seville route. So far at least 30 people are confirmed to have died in the incident, with casualty numbers expected to rise.

What happened

The two trains collided just after 09:00 (08:00 GMT) between municipalities Mora and Orgaz, and about 140km (100 miles) south of Madrid. The accident happened when a high-speed train travelling from Madrid to the south of the country collided with another train that was apparently stationary. The crash caused at least two carriages to fall down an embankment.

Broadcaster RTVE, quoting the transport ministry, said a Renfe train rear-ended an Iryo train. Renfe is Spain's national state-owned railway company while Iryo is a private high-speed railway operator.

All train traffic on this line has been stopped at stations along the route, Adif said. Renfe said services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia remain suspended.

Passengers and victims

A passenger on board one of the trains told local media there was a heavy impact about 40 minutes into the journey.

The cause has not been confirmed, though reports in Spain suggest a high-speed train hit another train which had stopped on the tracks.

More than 500 people were believed to be on board both trains. Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the government of Castilla-La Mancha region, told 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.

A former government minister was also among those reported missing. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) posted on X that Fátima Báñez - who heads the organization's foundation - was on board one of the trains involved in the crash.

Local leader Emiliano García-Page, president of Castilla-La Mancha, said "at least 30" people are now confirmed to have died. Speaking separately to Spanish media, he warned the death toll could increase further.

Eighty people are being treated for injuries, according to authorities, with 50 of the casualties said to be in a serious condition.

Reaction

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was "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 on Wednesday, including campaigning for next month's parliamentary elections.

Spain's royal family posted on X that it was "shocked and concerned" by the accident and expressed condolences for the relatives of the deceased and those affected by the crash.

A spokesperson for the EU said the bloc was ready to help Spain if needed.

A huge emergency response is under way with fire crews and helicopters at the scene.