Spain's transport minister has said authorities believe a computer failure caused the high-speed train crash that killed at least 68 people near Urda station on Wednesday. More than 500 passengers were aboard the two trains when one travelling at high speed rear-ended another.
Computer failure halts six trains
During a press conference, transport minister Oscar Puente stated that a computer failure led to the initial halt of six moving trains, resulting in the collision between two of them. Puente said: "In the event of a system failure, the control centre takes over."
The minister added that the control centre allowed the train to move again without any speed restrictions. Puente said the decision was made "under inexplicable circumstances," leading to the fatal collision.
Crash details and emergency response
The crash happened at 8.54am on Wednesday near Urda station, marking Spain's second serious high-speed network crash this year. The high-speed railway line linking Madrid and Andalucia has been shut down following the incident.
The collision involved a Renfe AVE that left Madrid at 8am bound for Seville and a train run by private operator Iryo, between the villages of Los Yebenes and Urda. The Iryo train was carrying an estimated 147 people, while the AVE train carried around 297 passengers.
Fire crews from Alcázar de San Juan and Orgaz stations, Civil Protection staff from multiple neighbouring towns, three medical helicopters and two ICU units have been dispatched to the accident location.
Passenger describes 'apocalyptic' scenes
Sebastián Herrero, a 46-year-old from Seville, was travelling in carriage 7 of the Iryo train that departed Madrid at 7:54am bound for Seville. Herrero said the train had stopped a while into the journey, but he didn't think anything of it until he was thrown against the seat in front of him upon a "terrible impact."
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has visited an emergency centre near the crash site and shared his condolences. Sanchez said: "Today the whole of Spain is grieving." He added: "Lives have been shattered, families have been torn apart, the pain is immense."
