Spain searches for survivors after deadly crash
Rescue teams worked through the night in Toledo province following a collision that killed 68 people.
By James Anderson ·
Emergency workers searched the twisted wreckage of two high-speed trains on Thursday, looking for survivors in a rural area of Toledo province. The search continued after a crash on Wednesday claimed 68 lives, marking the second deadly rail accident in Spain this year. Cranes spent the night lifting heavy sections of the destroyed carriages while rescuers moved carefully through the debris.
Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, said teams were working with extreme caution. She told TVE that officials could not yet confirm that no victims remained trapped inside the wreckage. A canine unit was deployed the previous day and was scheduled to return Thursday to verify that the area was clear.
Train drivers in Spain proceeded with a planned strike on Thursday. The union Semaf stated the walkout was already scheduled to demand more investment in railway safety. The union said it was avoiding speculation about the cause of the crash until a detailed investigation was complete. They added that they were studying options for further action.
The accident has intensified a national debate about the safety of Spain’s rail network, which is the longest in Europe. Transport Minister Oscar Puente explained that several trains had stopped automatically due to a signal failure. A Renfe train was then cleared to move at normal speed despite a stationary Iryo train ahead. The collision occurred on the same line involved in a fatal accident in January.
The crash has disrupted the campaign for a snap election scheduled for November 29. Leaders of Spain’s two main political parties suspended their campaign events. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was set to travel to Toledo on Thursday morning to coordinate the emergency response. Alberto Nuñez Feijoo, leader of the People’s Party, planned to visit the town of Urda, which is near the crash site.
The Spanish government declared three days of national mourning for the victims. The incident is the deadliest train accident in Europe since a derailment in Santiago de Compostela in 2013. Rescuers carried what appeared to be a body wrapped in a blanket from one of the trains on Thursday. The operation remains focused on clearing the site and confirming the final toll.
