Human error suspected in Spain train disaster

Human error suspected in Spain train disaster

Posted on 10/29/2026, 8:59 AM AST | Updated on 10/29/2026, 9:00 AM AST

MADRID — Audio recordings published by El País suggest that human error may have contributed to Spain's deadly train disaster, which killed 69 people and injured around 60 others.

Following a technical failure, railway controllers authorized a high-speed train to continue at normal speed, despite safety protocols requiring a maximum of 40 km/h. Five minutes later, it crashed into another train that remained stationary on the same track.

Police are investigating the instructions issued by railway controllers. Spain has declared three days of national mourning as rescue operations continue.