Death toll from train collision in central Spain climbes to 68

The Spanish health minister has stepped up call for blood donations following a train collision on the line connecting Madrid to the southern Andalusia region.

The Castilla-La Mancha regional government puts the death toll at 68 people and the figure could still rise. Scores of others needed medical treatment in hospital.

President of the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha which includes the province of Toledo says emergency services are continuing their search in the wreckage for bodies and survivors with the help of trained dogs.

Rail operator Iryo said its 6076 service was struck from behind by a Renfe high-speed train near Urda Wednesday morning while they were both heading in the same direction from Madrid to Seville in southwestern Spain.

Several carriages plunged down an embankment.

It is understood that over 500 travellers were on the trains at the time of the crash.

Iryo, an Italian-owned company, stated it had "activated its security protocols and is closely working with authorities."

This is the second major train accident in Spain this year after a collision near Adamuz killed at least 41 people in January.

Rail services have now been suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.

Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia said they were following the incident, while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was travelling to Urda to learn firsthand the details of what occurred and the unfolding situation.

The Spanish football federation has decreed the suspension of all 24 Copa del Rey first-round matches scheduled for Wednesday that involve several La Liga sides "as a show of respect and solidarity with all the victims."