Spanish actress Macarena Gómez has questioned railway safety in Spain following the deadly collision between two high-speed trains near Urda, Toledo, on Wednesday, 28 October. In a social media post, the actress compared Spain's AVE network with Japan's Shinkansen and called for answers about the differences in railway safety.
Gómez began her message by expressing her condolences to those who lost their lives and their families, writing: “May God accompany those who have passed away and bring comfort to their families.”
She then highlighted the contrasting safety records of the two countries. Japan inaugurated its Shinkansen high-speed railway in 1964, while Spain's AVE began operating in 1992.
Referring to the Japanese network's record, Gómez questioned why Spain had experienced such a high number of fatalities in railway accidents during 2026.
“What is happening? Shouldn't our safety system be comparable?” she asked.
More Than 100 Railway Accident Deaths in Spain During 2026
The actress's comments come after two major railway disasters in Spain within the same year.
In January, 46 people died in the Adamuz railway accident in Córdoba. On 28 October, a collision involving a Renfe AVE train and a stationary Iryo service near Urda, in Toledo province, resulted in at least 69 confirmed deaths as of 29 October.
According to RTVE's railway accident analysis, the combined toll from railway accidents in Spain during 2026 had reached 115 deaths at the time of its updated report. This included the two major disasters and a subsequent death associated with the Adamuz accident.
The figure makes 2026 the deadliest year for railway accidents in Spain in the period covered by RTVE's analysis, which extends back to 2010.
Japan's Shinkansen Safety Record
Gómez's comparison also drew attention to Japan's Shinkansen, which has operated since 1964.
According to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the network has recorded no passenger fatalities since its inauguration.
The safety record is associated with a combination of technologies covering train control, signalling, rolling stock and railway operations. Japan's experience has frequently been cited internationally as an example of high-speed railway safety.
However, comparing the two countries requires consideration of differences in railway infrastructure, operating systems, network characteristics and the way accidents are recorded.
Investigations Continue Following the Urda Collision
The collision in Toledo involved a Renfe AVE service travelling from Madrid towards Seville and an Iryo train that had stopped on the same line.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding a failure in the LZB railway safety system and the subsequent authorisation for the Renfe train to resume normal operation. The precise sequence of decisions and any possible responsibilities remain under investigation.
The Spanish Government has pledged to establish what happened and examine measures to strengthen railway safety.
Gómez's message has added a public voice to the wider debate over railway security, infrastructure and the need to establish the causes of the recent tragedies.