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Renfe AVE Crash Kills At Least 68 Near Urda

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Renfe AVE train collided with a stationary Iryo train near Urda, killing at least 68 people.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said a communications failure and an inexplicable order let the Renfe train pass a red signal.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of mourning and pledged a full investigation.
Roughly 70 of the about 540 passengers were injured, dozens critically.

History

On 24 July 2013 an Alvia Renfe train derailed near Santiago de Compostela after entering a curve at about 190 km/h, killing 78 people. The accident exposed the lack of automatic speed-control on the conventional track, prompting Adif to install ASFA balises over 1.9 km of approach. The recent Urda-Valencia collision revives those safety concerns.

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On 24 July 2013 an Alvia Renfe train derailed near Santiago de Compostela after entering a curve at about 190 km/h, killing 78 people. The accident exposed the lack of automatic speed-control on the conventional track, prompting Adif to install ASFA balises over 1.9 km of approach. The recent Urda-Valencia collision revives those safety concerns.

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