A temporary reception center was set up shortly after a deadly high-speed train collision in Spain on Wednesday, offering support for transferring surviving passengers and assistance to relatives of the victims.
The collision occurred on Wednesday morning on the high-speed railway line connecting Madrid and Seville in the province of Toledo in central Spain. A Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo train from behind near Urda station in Toledo province, causing several carriages to derail, with some falling down an embankment.
According to the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the death toll has risen to 68, with many more injured. A total of 107 people were hospitalized for treatment across the region, 18 of them in critical condition.
Local authorities established a temporary reception center at a sports stadium in Urda and arranged buses to transport affected passengers to their destinations.
"When the accident happened, the scene was like hell. Police had already arrived, and ambulances were on the scene as well. People were pulling victims out of the wrecked carriages. Many injured people and bodies were recovered from the twisted metal wreckage. Everyone at the scene was eventually brought out. It was absolutely horrific. Everything about it was truly horrific," said a witness named Manuel.
Many family members of passengers gathered at the temporary reception center, waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
"It is all so heartbreaking. When we went into the restroom, we saw family members of the victims weeping. It is truly devastating that something like this has happened," said Gloria, a survivor.
The rescue work is underway and the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Temporary reception center set up following Spain’s train collision
Temporary reception center set up following Spain’s train collision
