Haunting control-room recordings have revealed the instructions given to a high-speed train before it slammed into a stationary service in Spain, killing at least 68 people.
At 8.36am, a controller at Adif’s command centre in Madrid instructed the Renfe driver to restart the train’s automatic protection system, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.
“Driver of train 2080, disconnect and reconnect the LZB and resume normal running under BSL,” the controller said, translated from Spanish.
But the Iryo service ahead remained stopped.
In a separate recording, its driver reported that equipment problems were preventing her from moving again.
“The train isn’t allowing me to restart the LZB system and that’s why I’m still stopped,” she said.
RTVE obtained three audio extracts, but says it is unknown whether further exchanges took place before the collision.
Investigators are now scrambling to examine why the trains were authorised to move and why the crash was not prevented.
The scene has sparked outrage across the nation, with angry locals calling for immediate repercussions.
‘Spain is grieving’
The crash happened between the towns of Los Yebenes and Urda in Toledo. At least 40 died on the Iryo train and at least 24 on the Renfe AVE train.
The Iryo train was carrying 146 passengers including one baby at the time of the accident. Some 397 passengers were on-board the AVE service.
The horror incident is now the deadliest rail crash in Spain since 2013 when 80 died on a high speed service when it sped around a corner too quickly and left the tracks. Forty-eight people died in a high-speed train just months ago.
Questions are being asked as to how a country with one of the world’s most modern high speed railway networks can have had so many deadly incidents in quick succession.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced three days of mourning in the wake of the crash.
“Today Spain is grieving, the whole of Spain is grieving, and we express all our solidarity and empathy with the relatives of the victims and the injured who are still in hospital, and whom we wish a speedy recovery.
“Behind each victims is … a destroyed family, pain, and anguish … which the people of Spain share”.
Spaniards take to streets demanding minister quits
Scores of angry protesters have descended on Madrid’s Ministry of Transport, demanding the resignation of Transport Minister Puente in the wake of a devastating train collision.
As night fell over the Spanish capital, the crowd swelled outside the ministry building, with chants and placards calling for accountability over the crash that has left the nation reeling.
Footage shared by local news outlet El Español captured the scale of the demonstration, showing furious citizens demanding answers.
Attention has quickly turned to the control centre at Atocha, Madrid’s main railway station, which many Spaniards believe failed to prevent the collision.
Reports suggest a technical fault had initially halted rail traffic, before an apparently flawed decision allowed the trailing train to resume at high speed – with catastrophic consequences.
Australian Embassy issues statement
The Australian Embassy in Spain has released a statement expressing condolences while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is not aware of any Australians involved.
In a statement shared on social media, the Embassy said: “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have died, as well as with all those injured and affected by the train collision in Urda (Toledo)”.
The Australian Embassy has not confirmed whether any Australian nationals were involved in the incident.
Any Australian requiring emergency consular assistance has been urged to contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 within Australia, or on +61 2 6261 3305 if calling from overseas.
Manuel Galsn, the mayor of Urda, told Spanish state broadcaster that civil protection authorities had asked his town hall to prepare a sports pavilion as a makeshift emergency shelter.
“Iryo deeply regrets the accident that occurred today, 28 October, near Urda, which affected one of its high-speed trains,” the company said in an official statement.
“At this time, Iryo’s absolute priority is the affected individuals, and the entire company team is dedicating all efforts to managing the accident.”
The cause of the collision is currently unknown.
State-owned national railway company Renfe said: “Railway accident on the high-speed line between Los Yebenes and Urda”.
“Rail traffic between Madrid, Ciudad Real, and Andalusia is currently suspended.
“Free ticket changes and cancellations are available for all affected trains.”
Renfe confirmed that its 8am AVE train from Madrid’s Puerta de Atocha station to Seville’s Santa Justa station was involved in the crash.
Spain’s royal family said they were “moved and concerned” following the crash.
“We share in the sorrow of the families and loved ones of the deceased,” they said in a statement on X.
“Our support also goes to the emergency teams and all those working in the area to help as much as possible under these circumstances.”