Two Australians among 69 dead in Spain high-speed train collision
Spain confirmed that two Australian citizens were among the 69 fatalities in the recent high-speed train crash near Madrid, while officials announced the transport minister's resignation.
Spain's authorities have identified two Australian nationals and a Japanese citizen among the 69 people killed when a Renfe high-speed train collided with a stationary Iryo train near the village of Urda, about 130 km south of Madrid. The victims were announced by a legal body of police and forensic experts tasked with identification work.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is providing consular assistance to the families of the two Australians and expressed its condolences. Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong sent "deepest condolences" to her Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, and to the people of Spain.
The Spanish centre for data integration confirmed that families of all victims have been notified and that relevant consular offices have been informed of the deaths of foreign nationals.
Transport minister Oscar Puente announced his resignation, stating that a minister cannot remain in office after two severe rail accidents within a year. The crash, the deadliest rail disaster in Europe this century, follows a January collision in Andalusia that killed 46 people.
Victims also include 54 Spanish nationals and 15 foreigners, among them four U.S. citizens, two Australians, two Japanese, and individuals from Argentina, Canada, France, Mexico, Portugal, Tunisia and the Czech Republic. Labor MP Jason Clare described the incident as a tragedy that leaves a lasting impact on the nation.