Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Guardia Civil Spain reported that there were at least 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries after two high speed trains derailed on the Andalucian coast.
An Iryo train traveling from Malaga to Madrid, with more than 300 passengers aboard, came off the track in Cordoba near Adamuz.
The reason for the derailment is currently unknown, with transport minister Oscar Puente saying the incident was ‘extremely strange’ as it took place on a ‘straight stretch of track’.
Separately, a train operated by the state-owned Renfe that was running in the opposite direction on the same line and headed for Huelva after leaving Madrid also rolled over when it collided with some of the carriages of the damaged train.
In a Monday morning early-morning statement, Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez declared: “Tonight our country is in deep pain due to the tragic train accident at Adamuz.”
“I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims.
“Nothing can ease the pain of such an immense tragedy, but I would like them to be aware that they are not alone in this moment. The entire country is with them.” All emergency services work in unison without stopping.
Emergency services in Andalucia have treated 122 injured people, 48 of which remain in hospital.
12 passengers remain in intensive care – including one child.
According to local media, there were around 400 passengers aboard the two trains when the accident occurred.
Paco Carmona is the Cordoba Fire Chief. “There are still trapped people.” Operation is focused on getting people to exit areas that are very narrow. To reach the still-alive, we have to remove all of the dead bodies. It’s proving a complex task.”
The Iryo train was evacuated in a matter of hours, but the rescue operation for the Renfe is more difficult. Carriages are badly damaged and have seats and metal twisted.
According to the Minister of Transport, most of the dead and injured were in the two first carriages of Renfe’s train.
The mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Moreno, arrived at the scene with local police within hours and said he saw ‘a passenger torn to shreds’.
“We were first on the scene and there was an unidentified body that had been cut in two.” It was still nighttime, and there was no lighting. The scene was horrific.”
Adif, who manages Spain’s railway infrastructure, announced that all rail service between Madrid and Andalucia has been suspended.
Today, the Prime Minister will be visiting the crash site.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they were following the news ‘with great concern’.
Click here to read the latest Spain News at The Olive Press.
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