Spain train crash kills 68 people; authorities check for Australians
A high-speed train collision near Madrid killed at least 68 people Wednesday; Australian authorities are investigating whether any citizens were on board.
A high-speed train crash in Spain on Wednesday killed 68 people and injured dozens more. The two trains, carrying 544 people combined, were travelling from Madrid to Seville when they collided.
One train was believed to be travelling at up to 200 kilometres an hour. Transport authorities have so far suggested the trains were ordered to continue down the line despite a signalling failure.
Australian authorities are investigating whether any citizens were on the trains, though the Department of Foreign Affairs says it is not yet aware of any Australians affected. Consular staff stand ready to help if Australians are involved.
This is the second major crash on the same high-speed line; another killed 46 people in January. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared three days of national mourning.
- 68 people killed
- Death toll
- Madrid to Seville
- Route
- Up to 200 kilometres an hour
- Speed
- 46 killed in January on same line
- Previous crash
Why it mattersThis is one of Europe's deadliest train disasters in recent years and shows risks of repeated failures on the same rail line.
AustraliaAustralians travelling or living in Spain may need consular support if affected; the crash shows Australia's government can assist citizens caught in overseas emergencies.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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