Spain investigates high-speed train collision that killed at least 69
Spanish investigators are examining the role of rail traffic control after a high-speed train struck the rear of a stationary train near Urda in Toledo province on Wednesday, killing at least 69 people and injuring dozens.
Both trains were travelling from Madrid toward Seville. The state-operated Renfe train collided with an Iryo train that had stopped on the track, derailing several carriages. A preliminary report released Thursday found that the Renfe train was travelling between 160 and 200km/h when its front carriage became embedded in the rear of the other train.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said a computer failure had initially halted six trains that morning. Audio recordings published by Spanish media appear to indicate that control staff later cleared one train to proceed without speed restrictions despite another train remaining stalled about 25km ahead. Puente called that …