Preliminary findings indicate that a Renfe train was travelling at 100–125 mph when it hit a stationary Iryo service near Urda, Spain, CBS News reported on Nov. 2. The estimate is an initial investigative finding, not a final determination of what caused the collision that killed 69 people.
CBS reported that Transport Minister Óscar Puente assigned much of the responsibility to a traffic controller’s judgment. Railway unions challenged that emphasis, citing worsening working conditions, insufficient staffing and increasing workloads. Those competing accounts do not establish the crash’s cause.
The Oct. 28 collision occurred roughly 80 miles south of Madrid. CBS reported 58 injuries and said the trains had more than 540 people aboard combined. According to the Guardian, an automatic safety-system failure stopped services across a 63-kilometer stretch before a control centre permitted the Renfe train to move while the Iryo service remained stationary.
Four Americans were among the dead, authorities said in an identification announcement reported by the Guardian. The police and forensic body handling identification announced 10 newly confirmed foreign victims late Sunday, including Canadian, Japanese, Argentine, Mexican, Tunisian and Czech citizens.
That brought the identified total to 66, following earlier confirmation of 54 Spanish victims and one victim each from France and Portugal. Missing-person reports remained open for two Australians and a Japanese citizen. Authorities said they were awaiting families who wished to identify relatives in person.
BBC World reported that the disaster intensified criticism of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government ahead of a snap election. The opposition People’s Party called for Puente’s resignation, but he rejected stepping down, saying his duty was to remain in office.
The collision renewed scrutiny of rail safety after another high-speed disaster in Andalusia killed 46 people in January. The investigation into that earlier crash remains open.