Guy Hedgecoe
BBC News in Madrid

Image source, EPA

Two trains have collided in Spain causing at least 10 deaths, although there are concerns that the true number of casualties could be much higher (some reports are putting the death toll at 46).

The crash took place near the town of Urda, around 140 km (100 miles) south of Madrid.

Emergency services are at the scene helping those injured and looking for survivors.

The accident happened when a high-speed train travelling from Madrid to the south of the country collided with another train that was apparently stationary. The crash caused at least two carriages to fall down an embankment.

A passenger on board one of the trains told local media there was a heavy impact about 40 minutes into the journey.

Firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel are at the scene, along with three helicopters.

According to reports, the government believes that human error linked to signalling is a likely cause of the crash.

The national rail operator Renfe has set up a help line for relatives of those who were on board the trains.

And Parliament has cancelled events for the day. Prime minister Pedro Sánchez posted on social media that he was “upset” at the news and offered his solidarity and support to those hurt and their families.

In January, a collision between two trains on the same route killed 46 people.

A 17-year-old girl named Eduarda, who was travelling on one of the trains, tells broadcaster Cadena Ser that there was "chaos" at the scene and that she saw casualties under the trains.

"A lot of people couldn't get out. I heard screams... It was horrific," she says.

"It was a catastrophe... I could hear people screaming in panic."

Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor

Health Minister Mónica García has told Spanish radio that the images from the scene of the crash show there has been a "significant impact [that] points to a major tragedy".

Some of the casualties have been taken for treatment at a health in Urda not far from the crash, and Spanish TV reports that those needing hospital treatment will be taken to the city of Toledo to the north.

Meanwhile, there are fears the number of casualties will rise.

The mayor of Los Yébenes, not far from Urda, says he's spoken to local police about what they have seen. Jesús Pérez said they had described "truly nightmarish scenes".

We're now receiving images from the scene of the collision.

Emergency workers can be seen at the site of the crash, where train carriages have overturned and toppled down the embankment.

Several people are reported to have died.

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Esther Padilla, spokesperson for the government of Castilla-La Mancha region, tella TVE that one of the trains - managed by the Iryo company - was carrying 146 passengers plus one baby, while the Renfe-managed train had 397 passengers on board.

"The number of confirmed deaths, currently at 10, will almost certainly rise," she said. "The situation is going to worsen."

Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor

Image source, EPA

For Spaniards, this rail crash near Urda brings back very painful memories.

It was only last January when a high-speed train derailed in southern Spain, and its rear carriages went into the path of a state-run Renfe train, claiming the lives of 46 people.

The Adamuz collision was Spain’s worst rail tragedy since 2013 and cast doubts on safety on the country’s prized high-speed rail network.

This latest disaster is further south but again it involves a Renfe train and another run by private operator Iryo.

The circumstances are very different as at Adamuz there was a fracture on the track, while at Urda there appears to have been a failure involving safety mechanisms.

But again, there are new concerns about safety on Spain’s railways.

Image source, Reuters

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he is "shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo".

"I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha," Sánchezsaid on X, adding that emergency services were 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.”

Sánchez and other Spanish politicians have cancelled all public engagements today, including campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections.

Two high-speed trains have collided in Spain just after 09:00 (08:00 GMT) between municipalities Mora and Orgaz, just south of Madrid. Here’s what we know so far:

• A least 10 people are dead, regional government spokesperson for the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha region Esther Padilla has told local television.
• Padilla has told Castilla-La Mancha Media the deaths could potentially increase
• Rail operator Adif says the incident occurred between a Renfe train and another of the Iryo company, which covers the Madrid to Seville route
• All trains on this line have been stopped at stations along the route, Adif says on X
• Mayor of the nearby town of Urda, Manuel Galan, has also told Spanish public broadcaster TVE “there are people injured”
• A spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services has told AFP “all resources are currently being deployed” including “several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units”

A high-speed train has crashed into the back of another train at Urda, with at least two carriages taken off the tracks.

• This is a breaking news story - we'll bring you more details as we get them.