Spain: Death toll from high-speed train collision rises to 68

Madrid – Agencies: At least 68 people were killed and dozens injured on Wednesday in a collision between two high-speed trains south of the Spanish capital, Madrid, in one of the deadliest rail accidents in Europe this century. Emiliano García-Page, president of the Castile-La Mancha region, announced that the death toll had risen from 64 to 68, warning that more victims might be found as search efforts continue among the wreckage of the two trains. Speaking to journalists at the scene, García-Page said, “We do not know whether another body can be recovered when the carriages are moved.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of official mourning in the country, pledging a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the accident and uncover any potential negligence. King Felipe VI expressed his deep sorrow over the collision, describing the incident as “a horrific accident” and offering his solidarity with the victims and their families during these difficult times. Authorities have not yet released the number of injured, but Health Minister Monica Garcia urged people to donate blood in a post on the X platform. A spokesperson for the Castile-La Mancha region said that 147 people were on board the Euskotren train and 397 on the Renfe train. Wednesday’s crash is the deadliest in Europe since a train derailment in 2013 in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, which killed 80 people.