Former Spanish Minister Among at Least 64 Dead in Train Collision

At least 64 people have died after two high-speed trains collided near Urda in Spain's Toledo province on Wednesday morning. Among the victims is former Spanish labour minister Fátima Báñez, according to Spanish media reports.

The incident occurred around 8:50 am on the Madrid-Seville line when a Renfe AVE train reportedly struck the rear of an Iryo train. The AVE carried 397 passengers, while the Iryo had around 150 on board. Emergency services, including 200 military personnel, are working at the scene, and the death toll is expected to rise.

Fátima Báñez, 59, served as Spain's minister of labour and social security from 2011 to 2018 under Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. After leaving politics, she became president of the CEOE Foundation. She was travelling to Seville to take part in an event marking Entrepreneurship Day. Her family had initially reported her missing, but her death was later confirmed by sources within the People's Party, as reported by Spanish daily ABC.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is travelling to the site to express solidarity with victims and their families. All departures from Madrid's Atocha station towards the southern corridor have been suspended, and Copa del Rey football matches scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed as a mark of respect.

The cause of the collision is under investigation. Early reports suggest the AVE hit the Iryo from behind, but the reasons remain unclear. Iryo stated its train was stationary at the time of impact, and it is cooperating with authorities.