Australian officials confirm consular support for two citizens after Spain train crash
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing assistance to the families of two Australians involved in the fatal high-speed train collision in Spain.
Australian authorities are working to verify the welfare of two citizens after a high-speed train collision on the Madrid-Seville line killed at least 69 people and injured nearly 200. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is offering consular assistance to the families of the two Australians and expressed "heartfelt condolences" to all affected. The department added that privacy obligations prevent it from providing further details.
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente attributed the disaster to human error at a control centre in Madrid that failed to alert the driver of a Renfe AVE service about a stationary Iryo train ahead. His remarks sparked criticism from rail unions, which accused him of scapegoating control-centre staff and called for his resignation. The Renfe AVE train carried 397 passengers, while the Iryo train had 147 on board.