The Spanish Transport Minister points to possible “human error” in the railway accident that left at least 68 people dead

At least 68 people have died in a railway accident in Toledo, after two trains collided at 08:53 local time. Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente stated that a possible “human error” may have contributed to the tragedy.

The accident involved a train operated by the private company Iryo, with 152 people on board, and a Renfe train carrying nearly 400 passengers. The Renfe train hit the Iryo train, which had stopped on a straight section of track.

According to the minister, the LZB signaling system failed at around 08:30. The failure triggered the automatic stopping of six trains in the area, including those later involved in the accident. A few minutes later, the control center authorized the Renfe train to resume its journey, a decision Puente described as “inexplicable” and possibly linked to human error.

The train traveled approximately 25 kilometers in 15 minutes before the impact. Its speed at the time of the collision had not yet been established. The minister ruled out resigning and maintained that Spain’s railway system is safe. Authorities continue their investigation to clarify responsibility.