Train collision in Spain: 50 dead, Copa del Rey suspended

Two high-speed trains collided Wednesday morning at 8:54 a.m. on the Madrid-Seville line near Los Yébenes in Toledo province. The provisional toll at 1 p.m. reported approximately 50 dead and over 170 injured among the 544 passengers aboard the two trains.

A Renfe train, the national operator, struck the rear of an Iryo train, a private operator, causing several carriages to derail. The accident is attributed to an error by Adif, Spain’s public railway infrastructure administrator.

Given the scale of the tragedy, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the immediate suspension of all 24 first-round Copa del Rey matches — the round of 64 — originally scheduled for the afternoon and evening. Among the clubs affected were Real Betis, Celta de Vigo and Valencia, who were to face lower-division teams. Luca Zidane was also set to play this round with Leganés.

“Out of respect and solidarity with all the victims of the tragic railway accident that occurred Wednesday morning in Toledo province, the RFEF has decreed the suspension of the 24 first-round Copa del Rey matches originally scheduled this afternoon and tonight,” the federation said in an official statement.

The entire Spanish football world expressed its condolences to the victims and their families. The rescheduled date for the matches has not yet been announced.