At least 30 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain's central province of Toledo on Wednesday morning, reported Spanish local media.
Several passengers are feared to have been injured in the crash, which has disrupted rail services connecting Madrid with Ciudad Real and Andalusia. The toll is likely to climb up as several people are critically injured.
Spain's rail infrastructure operator ADIF confirmed the accident and announced the suspension of services on the affected routes.
Part of a wrecked train is photographed at the site of a train collision in Spain (AP photo)
According to Spanish state broadcaster TVE, the collision involved two high-speed trains travelling in the same direction. One train reportedly struck the rear of the other, causing two carriages to come off the tracks.
Expressing shock over what he called a "serious train accident", Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said: "Emergency services are 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."
Manuel Galán, the mayor of the nearby town of Urda, told TVE that passengers had been injured.
Civil protection officials had asked the town council to prepare a sports pavilion to receive passengers affected by the crash.
Jesús Pérez, mayor of the neighbouring village of Los Yébenes, also said the incident appeared to be "serious.”
Emiliano García-Page, president of the Castilla-La Mancha region, said in a post on X that he was travelling to the crash site.
The accident comes months after another deadly train crash shook confidence in Spain's rail network. In January, 45 people died in southern Spain when a train derailed and collided with an oncoming train. It was the country's deadliest rail disaster since a 2013 crash that killed 80 people, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Spain's extensive high-speed rail system.