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Two days after the horrific railway accident in Adamuz, the King and Queen of Spain traveled to Córdoba on Tuesday to visit “Ground Zero” and offer their support to the victims, their families, and the rescue teams.
During the three-hour visit, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia witnessed the desolate scene of the crash, which has left at least 41 dead and over 100 injured. The “anonymous hero” workers have told them first-hand how they are working to find potential victims trapped in the wreckage of Alvia 2384, which was on its way from Madrid to Huelva.
“We would like to acknowledge the high level of professionalism of all those who have been involved in dealing with the emergency, wherever they come from, and the willingness of all the administrations to work together and coordinate everything,” said the monarch as he left the Reina Sofía University Hospital, which is receiving the majority of the injured.
They were also able to speak with the medical team and visit some of those who had been affected, as well as their families. According to the most recent report, 39 of those affected by the incident are still in hospital. This includes 35 adults and 4 children. 83 out of 122 individuals who were assisted have been discharged.
Prior to this, the King and the Queen visited the Poniente Sur Civic Centre located in Cordoban’s capital, where they met with the psychologists, health workers, and other professionals who assist the families of victims. They also inquired about the system for support and accompaniment that was set up to help the families after the tragedy. Felipe VI said that the families were grateful and very touched by the care they received.
The monarchs expressed their “affection for the entire country” and praised the “collective efforts” of the institutions and emergency services, as well as the neighbours and volunteers who unreservedly helped the victims. The head of state said that a country can show its strength in many ways. One of these is how it deals with emergencies, how services are coordinated and how the people feel safe and protected.
Felipe VI told journalists that accidents will happen no matter how well the infrastructure is designed. The Adamuz train accident, which was the most serious since the Alvia accident at Angrois back in 2013, is “very tragic”. However, the monarch admitted that “it could’ve been much worse”. Fortunately, “early awareness” helped to minimise the number fatalities. Letizia, Queen of Spain, said that “we are all accountable for not turning a blind eye when we clear the rubble from a disaster”.
Visit ground zero
The King and the Queen started their visit by visiting the site of tragedy. Accompanied by the President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, and the Vice-President of the Government, María Jesús Montero, they arrived at the advanced command post.
The representatives of the Guardia Civil and the Military Emergency Unit, the Fire Brigade of the Cordoba City Council, the Provincial Council, and all the involved bodies who were involved in the rescue operations since Sunday afternoon as well the examination and investigation of the cause of the incident.
Don Felipe and Doña Letizia also took the opportunity to speak with the mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Ángel Moreno, whom they thanked for the response of this town of four thousand inhabitants, which has been involved with the injured from the first minute.
The neighbours were able greet them in the early critical moments. One of them was Julio Rodríguez, the 16-year-old boy who unexpectedly encountered the tragedy when he was returning from fishing with a friend and helped in the rescue of the passengers who remained trapped in the carriages. The King told the 16-year-old that he could see the youth of Spain in me and that everyone should emulate me.
The monarchs were then briefed about the accident at the site where the wrecked train was located. The Alvia train, which derailed following the violent impact, is the focus of the task, since it’s expected that more corpses will turn up when the wreckage is removed.
