Spain's Madrid–Andalusia high-speed rail tickets off sale until Dec 13 after the Urda crash: what travelers should check
TripX Verified · 4 sources · checked 2026-10-31Key points
- The Oct 28 high-speed collision near Urda killed 69; 10 Koreans were on board and 2 were injured
- Renfe has stopped selling Madrid–Andalusia (Málaga) high-speed tickets until Dec 13 (as reported)
- For trips south before Dec 13, check whether trains run and look at flights or other options
In this guide
At 8:54 a.m. local time on October 28, a Renfe AVE train running from Madrid to Seville crashed into the back of a private Iryo train stopped ahead of it on the high-speed line near Urda in Toledo province. About 540 people were on the two trains; under the figure corrected by Spain's transport ministry, 69 people died and more than 100 were injured. After the crash, Renfe reportedly stopped selling tickets on the high-speed line linking Madrid with southern Andalusia until December 13.
This article is based on a Newsis report from Málaga (October 31), an OhmyNews report citing Reuters and Korea's foreign ministry (October 29), and Yonhap and Financial News reports (October 30). The death toll may change as identification continues, and the restart date depends on Renfe's official notice.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Crash | 8:54 a.m., October 28, near Urda, Toledo province |
| Casualties | 69 dead (transport ministry's corrected figure), more than 100 injured |
| Koreans | 10 on board, 2 injured |
| Ticket sales suspended | Madrid–Andalusia (Málaga) high-speed line, until December 13 |
| Alternatives | Iberia and Air Europa added flights on Madrid routes |
| Investigation | Civil Guard and rail accident commission (CIAF) |
What changed: Madrid–Andalusia high-speed ticket sales suspended
Newsis reports that Renfe suspended ticket sales on the Málaga–Madrid high-speed line until December 13, and OhmyNews reports that sales on the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed section are halted until December 13. Newsis expects the line to stay shut for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Because reports name the section slightly differently, it is safest to assume any trip using this line, such as to Seville, Córdoba or Málaga, may be affected.
On the 29th, the train drivers' union went ahead with a one-day strike it had announced before the crash, disrupting other high-speed services too. Spain observed three days of national mourning from the 29th, and the town of Mijas in Málaga province cancelled its Halloween event on the 31st.
How it happened: under investigation
According to local reports, the automatic train control system (LZB), installed when the line opened in 1992, stopped 24 minutes before the crash and control switched to manual. The transport minister said a communications fault turned signals red and stopped trains automatically, but a decision was then made to let the Renfe train move again. The Civil Guard and the rail accident investigation commission (CIAF) are looking into human error in traffic control and signal faults.
In January, a high-speed collision near Adamuz in Córdoba province, Andalusia, killed 46 people. This is another major high-speed rail crash just 9 months later.
Who this affects: 10 Koreans on board, 2 injured
According to Korea's foreign ministry and embassy in Spain, 10 Koreans were on the trains and 2 were injured and treated in hospital. The embassy sent a consul to the site to help with treatment and travel. Spain's foreign ministry counted 42 foreigners from 7 countries on board.
If before December 13 you plan to travel from Madrid to Seville, Córdoba or Málaga or back, or go from Barcelona through Madrid to the south, this applies to you directly. The mood locally is cautious: Andalusia's regional president told local media he would not take the AVE for now.
What to do: rethink how you get there
If you already have a ticket, first check with whoever sold it (the Renfe or Iryo app, or your travel agency) whether the train runs and how to change or refund it. These reports do not say how existing tickets are handled, so go by the operator's notice.
If you have no ticket yet, look at other options for travel south before December 13. Newsis reports that Iberia and Air Europa have added flights on Madrid routes. Journeys may take longer, so leave slack between hotel check-in times and your next plans.
Things to watch
The interior ministry first gave a death toll of 74, which the transport ministry corrected to 69, and it may change again as identification is not finished. The restart date is a reported ticket-sale suspension period, not a confirmed announcement, so check again a few days before you travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I take the high-speed train from Madrid to Seville or Málaga right now?
It is safest to assume not until December 13. Renfe has reportedly stopped selling Madrid–Andalusia (Málaga) high-speed tickets until December 13; check Renfe's official notice for actual services.
What happens to Spanish high-speed tickets I already bought?
Check with the seller first. These reports do not say how existing tickets are handled, so go by the Renfe or Iryo app or your travel agency's notice.
Were any Koreans hurt in the Spanish train crash?
Yes. 10 Koreans were on board and 2 were injured and treated in hospital. The Korean embassy in Spain sent a consul to the site to provide consular help.
Sources
- Newsis (Oct 31, 2026; on-the-ground report from Málaga, in Korean)
- OhmyNews (Oct 29, 2026; citing Reuters and Korea's foreign ministry, in Korean)
- Yonhap News Agency (Oct 30, 2026; Brussels correspondent, in Korean)
- Financial News (Oct 30, 2026; on the corrected death toll, in Korean)
Checked on
This guide is Global TripX’s summary of the information published in the sources above. It is not a first-hand review, and rules and schedules can change, so check official guidance again before you travel.
TripX Verified: the date we matched the facts in this guide against the original sources below. Rules can change.
