Madrid, Spain cityscape — SeanPavone via Envato Elements
Spain: Madrid–Andalusia high-speed trains suspended after the Urda rail collision
High-speed trains between Madrid and Seville, Málaga and Córdoba are suspended after the 28 October collision near Urda, with no reopening date. What it means if you are visiting southern Spain.
What happened
On Wednesday 28 October at 8:53am, a Renfe AVE train ran into the back of an Iryo train stopped at the entrance to Urda station in Toledo province, on the Madrid–Seville high-speed line. Spain’s rail investigators give a provisional toll of 69 dead and more than 200 injured. Their second report, republished on 1 November, says all possible causes remain open (elDiario.es, 1 November).
What is running and what is not
All high-speed trains that use the damaged section are suspended, so Madrid has no high-speed link with Córdoba, Seville, Málaga or Granada. Barcelona and Valencia services to Seville and Málaga were also suspended, so starting from another city does not avoid the problem. There is no confirmed reopening date. Trains between Málaga and Seville are still running (Andalucía Información, 31 October).
Renfe has stopped selling tickets on the route until 13 December. It says this is a sales date and not a closure date, and that service can return sooner if Adif, the rail network operator, allows it (Diari de Tarragona, 28 October). Renfe’s alternative transport plan had been due on 30 October. It now says it cannot start before 3 November and that it will publish times and routes first (Andalucía Información, 31 October). Special trains run on the conventional line between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Puertollano, taking about an hour and a half longer (Xataka, 30 October).
What Indian travellers should do
If you have a booked train: do not go to the station on the strength of your ticket alone. Check your train with the operator first. Renfe and Iryo offer free changes or cancellations, and Ouigo offers full refunds on suspended trains (Xataka, 30 October).
If you are planning Seville, Málaga or Granada: allow for a flight, a coach or a much longer rail route between Madrid and Andalusia, and do not count on high-speed rail until a reopening is announced. Book each leg so that a missed connection is covered, and ask before you pay.
Strikes: Spain also has a general strike on 11 November and Renfe driver strikes on 10 and 12 November, which could affect the alternatives. See our Europe strikes roundup.
If you or a relative were on either train: the Embassy of India in Madrid asks you to get in touch on +34 650 339 008 or cons.madrid@mea.gov.in. Renfe’s helpline is 900 10 10 20 and Iryo’s is 900 001 403 (PTI, 28 October).
We will update this page when a reopening date or Renfe’s plan is published.
Sources
This report is based on the following published sources. Rules and schedules change — confirm with the issuing authority before you travel.
- Qué dice el segundo informe sobre el accidente ferroviario de Urda — elDiario.es, 01 November 2026
- ¿Qué trenes siguen funcionando en Andalucía? La guía para viajar tras el accidente de Toledo — Andalucía Información, 31 October 2026
- El plan de Renfe para los viajeros que vayan de Madrid a Andalucía tras el accidente de Urda — Xataka, 30 October 2026
- Renfe deja de vender billetes entre Madrid y Andalucía hasta el 13 de diciembre — Diari de Tarragona, 28 October 2026
- India asks citizens affected by Spain train accident to contact embassy in Madrid — PTI via Telangana Today, 28 October 2026
More travel news
A closer look at your journey — the detail that turns information into a journey genuinely worth taking.
Travel AlertsSevere Cyclonic Storm Murasu is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole on the night of 2–3 November. Flights have been cancelled at Chennai and Vijayawada. Check before you travel.
Visa & EntryFrom 3 November, everyone boarding a flight to or through the United States must attest they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days. Without it, you cannot board.
Visa & EntryFrom 26 October, people applying in India for an Australian visa may be asked to give fingerprints and a facial image. Applications lodged earlier and visas already granted are not affected.