Riot police deployed in Madrid as protests erupt over deadly train crash
A deadly train crash fuelled anger in Spain as far-right demonstrators clashed with police during an anti-government protest in Madrid. Hundreds demanded the transport minister’s resignation amid questions over the authorities’ handling of the disaster, which killed 68 people.
The crash, between a moving train and another that was stopped further up the track, was caused by an "inexplicable" error, the transport minister said.
Two high-speed trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided south of Madrid. Spain's transport minister said one of the trains was told to continue its journey despite a "red signal" being in effect.
Health Minister Monica Garcia says emergency workers are focusing on rescuing survivors.
A collision between two high-speed trains south of Madrid killed at least 10 people on Wednesday, a regional government spokeswoman said, warning the toll could rise. Rail infrastructure company ADIF also confirmed a collision had taken place, warning in a social media post that the high-speed rail line from Madrid to the south had been suspended.
The regional government of Castilla-La Mancha said at least ten people have been killed in a train crash in central Spain. Rail services between Madrid and Seville have been suspended.
A high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 64 people and injured scores more on Wednesday, with the toll likely to rise, authorities said in one of Europe’s deadliest such disasters this century. An EU spokeswoman said the bloc was “ready to help Spain if needed”, while European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said “Europe mourns” with the victims after the “devastating news”.