Overview
- A rear‑end collision on 28 October 2026 between a Renfe AVE and a stopped Iryo train near Urda, Toledo, has a provisional toll of 69 dead and many injured.
- Preliminary work by investigators indicates Adif issued an LZB4 release that allowed the AVE to run at normal speed despite the cantón being occupied, and that order is a central focus of the inquiry.
- The LZB signalling system has recorded roughly 170 outages in 2026, experts cite ageing hardware and software and maintenance shortfalls under Hitachi Rail as possible contributors, and authorities plan a move to ERTMS starting in early 2027.
- The judge ordered seizure of the trains’ black boxes, sealed the accident zone for authorised personnel, and tasked AITAT and police judicial teams with analysing the Urda LZB central and past failures.
- Forensic teams have identified most victims (66 of 69), Renfe is drafting new driver instructions requiring marcha a la vista (about 40 km/h) and confirmation an empty cantón after LZB faults, and consular services are assisting foreign nationals.