Spain’s monarch joined mourners at a memorial service led by Archbishop Cerro Chaves for the 69 victims of a collision near Urda. Investigators continue to review the disaster, which involved a moving high-speed train striking a stationary convoy and left 28 people hospitalized. The tragedy marks the Madrid-Seville line's second fatal incident this year, following a January crash in Adamuz that claimed 46 lives. The fallout has sparked transit strikes and placed severe political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of nationwide voting.
Key points
Growing scrutiny over repeated rail disasters presents a significant political challenge…: Growing scrutiny over repeated rail disasters presents a significant political challenge for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of November's election.
Preliminary findings indicate the collision likely stemmed from human error combined with…: Preliminary findings indicate the collision likely stemmed from human error combined with a safety system glitch.
Concurrent labor actions by train drivers and housing activists have escalated transit di…: Concurrent labor actions by train drivers and housing activists have escalated transit disruptions across Spain.
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Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia were among those who have attended a memorial service in tribute to the 69 victims of last month's deadly train crash.
The accident occurred when one train, travelling at high speed, ploughed into the back of another that was stationary on the Madrid-Seville line, near the small town of Urda, about 40 miles from Toledo.
It was the worst rail tragedy in Spain since 2013. Twenty-eight people remain in hospital.
"The tragic accident in Urda has left our families, our towns and our society with a pain that is difficult to accept," Archbishop Cerro Chaves told those present.
Representatives of those killed carried lit candles to the front of the cathedral and placed them next to the main altar. The first reading of the service was by Ana Benítez, sister of David Benítez, a 38-year-old father-of-two who died.
The king and queen were met with applause by bystanders as they entered the cathedral and at the end of the service, after Catholic Mass, they spoke to relatives of the victims.
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