MADRID:  At least 68 people have lost their lives and more than 500 passengers were involved in a catastrophic high-speed train collision south of the capital, marking Spain’s deadliest rail disaster in over a decade.

The tragedy occurred when an Iryo high-speed train was struck from behind by a Renfe train. The sequence of events began with an initial computer failure that forced trains across the line to halt. According to Spain's transport minister, an erroneous decision issued by the control centre subsequently led to the fatal collision, a choice described as "inexplicable."

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to the crash site to survey the damage, declaring that the nation is in mourning as major political parties immediately suspended their general election campaigns.

First responders faced severe challenges at the scene, which survivors and witnesses characterized as catastrophic. Spanish journalist Roberto Gómez, who was a passenger on one of the affected trains, described the atmosphere inside the wreckage as exceptionally chaotic and distressing.

Emergency services and rescue teams remain active at the location as authorities continue investigating the precise technical and operational failures that allowed the disaster to unfold.