King of Spain cuts short royal engagement after train crash tragedy

Spain’s King Felipe was visiting a military base on Wednesday when he was told of a deadly collision between two high-speed trains in the province of Toledo, killing at least 68 people.

The crash near Madrid led the monarch to swiftly cut short his engagement at the Jaime I Military Base manoeuvres ground in Bétera, in the province of Valencia, to return to the capital.

“First and foremost, we must mourn this terrible tragedy,” he said at the base, according to local media Todo Alicante, who reported His Majesty was visibly moved by the news.

After a phone conversation with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the 58-year-old monarch abandoned the ‘Grifo 2026’ military exercise and has also cancelled his planned engagements for the coming days in response to the tragedy.

“I am waiting to return so I can follow the emergency and learn more details of what has happened,” he said.

“We have obviously shortened this activity in Valencia, in Bétera, and we will return as quickly as possible.

"I always send words of encouragement and support to all the emergency services who are attending to the situation. I understand there are people from all agencies and backgrounds, including the Armed Forces and the Military Emergency Unit (UME), because many people are responding to the emergency."

King Felipe and Queen Letizia also issued a joint statement sharing their grief with the nation, following the second high-speed rail tragedy this year.

“We are moved and concerned by the train accident in Urda (Toledo),” it said.

“We share in the sorrow of the families and loved ones of the deceased and send our affection to the injured and those affected.

“Our support also goes to the emergency teams and all those working in the area to help as much as possible under these circumstances.”

Royals send their condolences

Europe’s newest monarch, King Haakon VIII of Norway, was among the first to share a message of condolence with his Spanish counterpart.

“I was deeply saddened by the news of the deadly train accident near Toledo, which claimed so many lives,” he wrote in a message to King Felipe.

“On behalf of myself and the Norwegian people, I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and the people of Spain and ask you to convey my deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and others affected by this tragic event.”