PREVIEW

At least 68 people have died and dozens more were injured after two high-speed passenger trains collided near Urda station in the province of Toledo on Wednesday morning, regional authorities confirmed.

The catastrophe occurred at approximately 08:53 AM when a state-owned Renfe AVE train struck the rear of a stationary train operated by private carrier Iryo.

More than 500 passengers were on board both convoys, which were traveling along the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed corridor.

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente stated that the collision followed a safety system failure, after which an ''inexplicable'' order was issued from the control center allowing the AVE to proceed despite a red signal.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared three days of national mourning as emergency military units and rescue teams continue to work at the scene