MADRID: At least 68 people have been killed in a train collision near Ourda, south of the Spanish capital, prompting the government to declare three days of national mourning.
The crash, which happened on Wednesday morning, is being described as one of the worst rail disasters in Europe in recent years. Dozens of people were also injured.
Rescue workers spent the night cutting through the wrecked carriages to search for victims. Authorities said many of the dead have not yet been identified.
A Madrid-to-Seville train collided with a stationary train, officials said. Investigators are working to establish the cause.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: “All of Spain is in mourning. This tragedy has changed lives, torn families apart and left people in deep grief.”
According to the Interior Ministry, hundreds of personnel have been deployed for the rescue and recovery effort, with drones and helicopters helping to search for victims and clear debris.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the train, operated by the private rail company Iryo, was carrying 147 passengers. He said it had been stopped on the track because of a computer system fault.
