The whole of Spain is in shock and mourning following a tragic train collision that claimed the lives of 68 passengers, while the cause was revealed to be a computer system crash combined with human error.
According to a BBC report on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the incident occurred at 9:00 AM on Wednesday (Spanish time). A state-owned Renfe AVE high-speed train carrying 397 passengers traveling from Madrid to Seville collided head-on/full-force into a stationary train owned by the private company Iryo, which was carrying 147 passengers, causing several carriages to derail.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the force of the impact was indescribably strong, and people were seen being thrown out of windows and blown into the air.
Regarding the cause of this tragedy, Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente stated that a computer system crash on the Iryo train caused it to come to a complete stop on the track, after which the Renfe train struck it from behind with a thunderous impact. It was also due to human error, as the control center in Madrid, which had taken over operations, made a wrong decision by allowing the Renfe train to travel at normal speed, leading to the rear-end collision.
In response to the incident, the Spanish trade union CSIF demanded the resignation of the transport minister, citing a lack of responsibility and blaming others. Furthermore, within just one year, Spain has experienced such terrifying train accidents twice already.
In mourning, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ordered the suspension of several events, including the parliamentary election campaign set for next month.
As a reminder, this is Spain's worst railway disaster since 2013, when 80 people lost their lives after a train derailed in the northwestern part of the country.
