Spain: At least 10 dead in high-speed train crash
· DWThe regional government of Castilla-La Mancha said at least ten people have been killed in a train crash in central Spain. Rail services between Madrid and Seville have been suspended.
At least 10 people were killed in a train crash in southern Spain on Wednesday morning, local authorities have confirmed to Spanish media including the EFE news agency and the El Pais newspaper.
"The information we are receiving is not good at all," Esther Padilla, spokeswoman for the government of Castilla-La Mancha, told local media. "There are at least 10 dead and it is possible that the number will increase,"
"There has been a collision between two trains [and] there are injured people," said Manuel Galans, mayor of the town of Urda in the province of Toledo where the incident took place just after 9 a.m. local time.
The mayor of another nearby village, Jesus Perez of Los Yéebenes, told Spanish TV that the accident appeared "serious."
El Pais cited witnesses describing numerous injuries and arrival of emergency medical teams at the scene.
"All resources are currently being deployed," spokesperson for the Spanish emergency services told the AFP news agency, including "several fire crews, three helicopters, and two mobile intensive care units."
In a post on social media, rail operator Adif confirmed that "traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed rail line has been suspended following a rear-end collision between two trains."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was "shocked" by the "serious" accident.
"Emergency services are working on the ground to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations," he wrote on social media. "My affection, solidarity and support to all the victims and their families."
It's not the first train crash in Spain this year. In January, 45 people died when a train jumped the track and hit an oncoming train.
More to follow ...