RismadarVoice Reporters
October 29, 2026
A survivor of Spain’s deadly high-speed train collision has described scenes of devastation after two passenger trains crashed near Toledo on Wednesday, killing at least 69 people and leaving dozens injured.
Sebastian Herrero, 46, was travelling from Madrid to Seville aboard a train operated by private railway company Iryo when a high-speed train belonging to state-owned Renfe struck it from behind.
The collision sent the last three carriages of the Iryo train down an embankment, leaving passengers trapped in damaged compartments and triggering a major emergency response.
Speaking to Reuters on Thursday, Herrero recalled initially believing his train had stopped because of a problem with an overhead power line.
Moments later, the impact threw him from his seat, causing him to strike the seat opposite.
Herrero, who was travelling near the front of the train, escaped alongside other passengers by climbing down the embankment and crossing a fence into a nearby field.
He described seeing severely damaged carriages, injured passengers and bodies being recovered from the wreckage.
The survivor said he felt as though he had been given another chance at life, although several passengers in his carriage suffered injuries, including broken arms and noses.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the safety of Spain’s high-speed railway network, particularly after another deadly collision involving the same railway operators near Adamuz in January.
Herrero said the earlier disaster had made him question whether rail travel was safe, but high fuel costs, difficult road conditions and limited alternatives left many regular commuters dependent on trains.
Meanwhile, Spanish authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s collision.
Preliminary findings indicate that a malfunction in the railway signalling system caused several trains to stop before the Renfe service was authorised to resume its journey.
Investigators are examining why the Renfe train continued while the Iryo service remained stationary on the same track.
The judicial investigation is expected to examine communications between train drivers and railway controllers, alongside technical records and safety procedures.
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, has acknowledged concerns about the instructions issued by railway controllers, although the investigation has not reached a conclusion.
Herrero called for accountability and stronger safety measures to prevent another tragedy.
The collision has intensified public scrutiny of railway maintenance, traffic-control systems and emergency procedures across Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network.
