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Renfe Train Cleared Despite Red Signal, Puente Says

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Transport minister Óscar Puente said a Renfe train was authorized to proceed despite an active red signal, causing the collision.
The crash occurred at about 9:15 a.m. local time near Urda in Toledo province on the Madrid-Seville line.
At least 68 people were killed and dozens injured, with some reports citing over 100 injured.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of national mourning and visited the crash site.

History

On 29 June 2009 a freight train derailed in Viareggio, killing 32; it followed earlier Italian signal-passed-red crashes such as the 7 January 2005 Crevalcore collision that killed 17. These events exposed safety gaps in Italy’s rail system. Spain’s March 2024 Urda collision adds to a series of Spanish rail accidents, such as the 2007 Valencia Metro derailment that claimed 41 lives, showing continued rail-safety challenges.

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On 29 June 2009 a freight train derailed in Viareggio, killing 32; it followed earlier Italian signal-passed-red crashes such as the 7 January 2005 Crevalcore collision that killed 17. These events exposed safety gaps in Italy’s rail system. Spain’s March 2024 Urda collision adds to a series of Spanish rail accidents, such as the 2007 Valencia Metro derailment that claimed 41 lives, showing continued rail-safety challenges.

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