The Spanish cabinet approved Tuesday an advance in aid to victims of train accidents Adamuz & Gelida. Total of 210 people are divided into 14 categories for injuries and damages. They will receive compensation between 2,404 and 84,514 euros.

The aid provided by the royal decree is an advance on compensation to which the 168 Adamuzs and the 42 Gelidas are legally entitled under civil liability laws. It is intended to provide them with quick access to financial assistance.

If the recipient agrees, the government will then handle the legal claim and attempt to recover the money.

The relatives of those who have died will receive 72 121 46 euros. The injured passengers will be divided up into 14 categories.

Aid amounts are as follows: in the first category, 84,141.7 Euros; second category, 60,101.22 Euros; third category, 54,086.08 Euros; fourth category, 48,080.96 €; fifth category, 42,050.84€; sixth category, 36,060.72€; seventh category, 30.30.050.6 euros; eighth category, 24,040.48euros; tenth category, 12,020.24euros; eleventh category, 9,015.08 euros; twelve

The assistance will not be refundable and is exempt from Personal Income Tax (IRPF). The beneficiaries won’t have to pay back the difference if the final compensation is less than the advance. If the final compensation is greater than the advance amount, beneficiaries will be paid the difference. Specifications published in the official State Gazette specify that.

The passengers and families of those who lost their lives in two rail accidents in Spain over a three-day period are the beneficiaries. The first incident was the worst train accident in the history in Spain’s high-speed railway: the collision of a derailed Iryo with an Alvia that was traveling in the opposite directions. The accident occurred at Cordoba’s Adamuz station around 7.43pm, 18 January.

Spain has had only one major train accident that was larger than the Angrois on the Alvia to Santiago de Compostela accident in 2013.

The deceased’s relatives must submit the death certificate, and the injured must provide the relevant medical reports.

This aid is granted without prejudice of any other compensation that passengers may be entitled to. Compensation may include compensation for assistance (such food, lodging and transport), as well loss or damage of hand luggage, baggage and animals.

The Adamuz crash directly affected 527 passengers. 45 people died and 123 were injured. The accident also led to the suspension of the high-speed service in Andalucía, which extended the personal, social and economic impact of the accident.

A train from the Catalan Rodalies service R4 collided with an retaining wall at Gelida, Barcelona (at 9.33pm) on 20th January. A heavy rainstorm had caused the wall to become loose and fall on the track.

One person was killed and 41 injured. Rodalies had to be suspended from service for two days, and its full recovery “will still take some time”.

According to the approved royal decree and published in state gazette, there were 210 total victims in both accidents. The social impact has been “devastating”. Many resources have been mobilized to provide emotional and physical support to victims and families.

The government thanked emergency services for their professionalism and rapid response. The government’s military, doctors, firefighters, police officers, caregivers, civil defense personnel, and volunteers all took part in the effort following the accident.

Following the tragic incident, Adamuz residents “who have shown admirable compassion, dedication, and solidarity towards victims”, are now anonymous heroes.

The government also highlighted the efforts of different institutions to help victims and restore railway service.

The Royal Decree Aid comes into effect at the time of its publication on Wednesday, 28th January. Publication in the State Gazette provides information on the application process. It also discusses the compatibility of these aids with other grants granted to the same end, such those from civil liability insurers or railway companies or infrastructure managers and other administrations.

Stations set up by the regional government’s delegations and subdelegations offer assistance to applicants during the application procedure.