Spain's Transport Minister Explains Train Collision as Result of Malfunctions and Dispatcher Errors

Details of the accident in Toledo province

Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente released initial findings on the cause of the tragic incident that occurred on 28 October. According to him, the collision between two high-speed trains was the result of an "inexplicable" erroneous order issued by dispatchers.

As reported by the US television channel CNN, the official explained that the error was initiated by a malfunction in the operation of the LZB locomotive signalling system.

Error in traffic management

According to the minister's clarification, following the malfunction, control of the system passed to the Adif dispatch service — the company that is the railway operator in Spain. At that moment, a decision was made to authorise the movement of the Renfe high-speed train, although the red stop signal remained in effect.

Meanwhile, another high-speed train, Iryo, remained stationary on the track. The distance between it and the approaching Renfe was approximately 25 kilometres.

Timeline of passenger fatalities

«Потяг Renfe отримав дозвіл на рух без будь-яких обмежень швидкості, що означає, що з 08:36 до 08:52 за місцевим часом він подолав приблизно 25 км зі швидкістю близько 200 км/год, перш ніж зіткнувся з поїздом Iryo» (The Renfe train received authorisation to move without any speed restrictions, which means that from 08:36 to 08:52 local time it covered approximately 25 km at a speed of around 200 km/h before colliding with the Iryo train), emphasised Minister Puente.

The official characterised this accident as "truly incredible".

Official data on fatalities

According to data from the Spanish authorities cited by CNN, at least 68 people died as a result of the train collision in Toledo.