Investigations are still ongoing after two high-speed trains collided near the city of Cordoba in southern Spain on Sunday evening, with families of the missing passengers still desperately waiting for any information about their missing loved ones.
As of Tuesday, at least 42 people have been confirmed dead in the incident which has shocked the nation and led to three days of national mourning being declared.
The tragedy occurred when a train carrying more than 300 passengers on the Malaga-Madrid route derailed for reasons still unknown near Amaduz, about 20 km from Cordoba. It was then struck by another oncoming high-speed train traveling on an adjacent track from Madrid to Huelva, causing it to also come off the rails.
Train carriages remain scattered near the track where the deadly incident took place, with heavy machinery being sent in to remove the remaining parts of the wreckage.
While the death toll is expected to rise, the identities of most of the victims' remains have not yet been determined.
At a temporary shelter in nearby Cordoba, family members are standing anxiously by as they await any news, while local Red Cross volunteers and government staff are offering round-the-clock psychological support and assistance.
"Based on what we have learned from the families we are supporting, 150 people sought our help on Monday, and over the past two days we have been caring for roughly 300 in total," said Francisco Vicente from the Spanish Red Cross.
Loved ones can do little but wait for any updates as they fear the worst.
"My family is going through a tough time now. My brother-in-law went missing in the incident and we have had no information about him since. We know nothing about his condition. Since yesterday, I have been here with his wife -- my sister -- and my nephew, waiting for updates. But still, there's been nothing. It's agonizing," said Yamilet, a relative of a missing passenger.
The Spanish government say authorities are still gathering information as they try to assess how this horrifying incident unfolded, while the investigation committee has been retrieving operating logs and equipment data from the trains and will later subject the relevant materials to laboratory analysis.
Spanish King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia visited the accident site on Tuesday and also stopped in to see victims in a hospital in Cordoba, following Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's visit the previous day.
Sanchez has pledged full transparency and vowed to uncover the truth behind the disaster.
Investigations ongoing as families await updates in aftermath of deadly Spain train crash
Investigations ongoing as families await updates in aftermath of deadly Spain train crash
