At least 39 people have been killed in a collision involving two high-speed trains in central Spain, prompting the suspension of rail services on the busy route linking Madrid with the southern Andalusia region.

The crash occurred shortly after 9am on Wednesday between the towns of Mora and Orgaz, near Toledo, involving trains operated by Renfe and Iryo, according to rail operator Adif and regional government officials.

The collision caused carriages to derail, with images circulating on social media showing train coaches lying on their sides in a ditch. Emergency responders were deployed to the scene as authorities worked to assist survivors and establish the full scale of the disaster.

The death toll according to a report by The Independent rose from an initial 10 confirmed fatalities to at least 39, according to local authorities cited by Sky News. The number of injured passengers and the circumstances that led to the collision were still being determined in the initial reports.

The suspension of traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line is expected to disrupt rail travel, affecting passengers using one of Spain’s key intercity connections.

In Urda, a nearby town, Mayor Manuel Galan said emergency services had requested the use of a local sports hall to accommodate injured passengers, an indication of the urgent need for additional facilities to support the rescue operation.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed shock over the incident, saying he was in contact with the Transport Minister and the president of Castilla-La Mancha as emergency agencies coordinated their response.

Sanchez also extended his support to those affected and their families, while emergency personnel continued efforts at the crash site.

Antonio Maíllo, federal coordinator of the left-wing political group Por Andalucía, said he was deeply distressed by the images from the scene and warned that the consequences could be severe. He urged caution as more information was awaited.

Authorities had yet to establish the cause of the collision, while the investigation and casualty assessment remained ongoing.