Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was “shocked by the serious train accident in Toledo”.

“I remain in constant contact with the Minister of Transport, and with the president of Castilla-La Mancha,” Sánchez said on X, adding that emergency services were working on the ground “to assist those affected and ensure their safety, in coordination with all the involved administrations”.

“My affection, solidarity, and support to all the victims and their families.”

Sánchez and other Spanish politicians have cancelled all public engagements on Wednesday, including campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections.

Spain’s royal family posted on X that it was “shocked and concerned” by the accident and expressed condolences for the relatives of the deceased and those affected by the crash.

A huge emergency response is under way with fire crews and helicopters at the scene.

Spanish news agency have reported that hospitals in the area have suspended planned surgeries as they deal with an influx of patients from the crash.

A blood transfusion centre in Madrid has also appealed for “urgent” donations. In a post on X, Centro de Transfusión said it made the request “in the face of a possible sudden increase in care needs”.

It reported that facilities in Toledo, Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan have cancelled procedures as casualties from the crash begin to arrive.

This is the second high-speed rail tragedy in Spain this year.

In January a high-speed train derailed in southern Spain, its rear carriages going into the path of a state-run Renfe train, claiming the lives of 46 people.