What caused the high-speed train crash near Madrid that killed at least 68 people?

A high-speed train heading for Seville crashed into a stationary train south of Madrid, killing at least 68 people and leaving 18 in critical condition. Transport minister Oscar Puente said the automatic signalling had failed. BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford reported that after a problem around 8.30 the line was run manually by a controller in Madrid, and a train appears to have been cleared to go at normal speed with another train stalled ahead.

• High-speed trains on that section can travel at up to 200 kilometres an hour.
• It is unclear why the controller did not warn the driver to slow down or stop.
• Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning and said the inquiry will establish whether negligence played a role.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Global News Podcast (2026-10-29). Read the whole episode summary →

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