Rescue personnel work in central Spain at the site of a collision of two high-speed trains between the towns of Mora and Orgaz, near Toledo, Spain, Oct. 28, 2026. One train slammed into the rear of another train that had stopped, derailing two cars and killing at least 68 people and injuring hundreds more, said authorities, who expected the death toll to climb. OSV News photo/Violeta Santos Moura, Reuters
By OSV News
TOLEDO, Spain OSV News – The Church in Spain expressed its sorrow and solidarity with the victims of an Oct. 28 train accident between Urda and Los Yebenes, near the historic town of Toledo, entrusting the deceased, the injured and their families to prayer.
Bishops, dioceses and religious congregations conveyed their condolences through social media and asked for comfort and strength for those affected after two high speed trains collided just before 9 a.m. near the ancient town that for centuries was the capital of Spain.
As of the early afternoon hours (EDT) of Oct. 28, 68 deaths have been reported, with hundreds injured, and the death toll expected to rise.
The Spanish bishops’ conference expressed its “condolences and closeness to the families of the victims” and said the bishops prayed “for the eternal rest of the deceased and for the recovery of the injured.”
The conference said the bishops joined “in the grief of those affected” and asked “for prayer in the celebrations of the Christian community for all the victims so that, under the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted and Queen of Peace, the Lord may grant the gift of life to the victims and hope to the families and those affected.”
The bishops also prayed for “all those who work in emergency services, those who care for the injured and those who support the families of the victims.”
As firefighters, Civil Protection teams, medical helicopters and mobile intensive care units worked at the scene, parish priests also rushed to assist the victims spiritually.
Parish facilities, Caritas at the service of victims
Father Jose Miguel Fernandez, the parish priest of Urda, told Spanish Catholic media Alfa y Omega that the tragedy caught him at meetings in the offices of the Archdiocese of Toledo, where he immediately decided to return to Urda.
He contacted the town’s mayor and said he had “offered the parish facilities for whatever is needed. Just as the parish Caritas organizations are available for anything necessary.”
Father Fernandez said that “the first thing is to offer them encouragement and show them the support of the Church, the comfort of God.”
Toledo’s Archbishop Francisco Cerro and Auxiliary Bishop Cesar Garcia Magan said they wished to express their deep concern and closeness to all those affected.
In a statement, the prelates entrusted the victims and their families to the Lord, prayed for the injured and thanked emergency, health and security services and all those caring for those affected.
The bishops said the archdiocesan branch of Caritas and the parishes of Urda and Los Yebenes were at the service of all those affected and their families.
Spain in shock after third major accident in 2026
Spain was thrown into shock as news spread about the collision, which most likely was caused by human error after electronic signaling went off and the train was allowed to proceed with a red signal in place.
In January, when two high speed trains collided near Adamuz, more than 40 people died, and Spain was devastated by another tragic accident days later when a train derailed near Barcelona.
The two trains near Toledo were carrying a total of 544 people and, according to The Guardian, were traveling in the same direction on the high-speed line from Madrid to Seville.
The king and queen of Spain said they shared in the grief of the families and loved ones of the deceased and sent best wishes to the injured and all those affected.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the country was “in mourning,” while Transport Minister Oscar Puente pointed to human error and an “inexplicable” decision to order trains ahead at full speed after a signaling failure.
Condolences from Church and state leaders
Church leaders in Spain offered prayers for the deceased, recovery for the injured and comfort for those affected. International leaders also expressed solidarity with Spain and thanked rescue workers.
Bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante shared a prayer for the deceased: “Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
A version of this story was published in Spanish Catholic media Alfa y Omega and was republished through a partnership with OSV News.
Catholic journalism is needed now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your contribution.