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Royals Join Mourners as Families Press for Answers in Spain Train Disaster

Investigators are examining a suspected rail fracture before a derailment that was followed within seconds by a second train’s impact.

Overview

  • A religious mass in Huelva on Jan. 29 honored the 45 victims, with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia offering condolences.
  • Family spokesperson Liliana Saenz pledged to seek the truth about the collision in remarks before survivors with visible injuries.
  • Authorities say a rail break likely preceded the MalagaMadrid train’s derailment before a Huelva-bound train struck it roughly 9 to 20 seconds later.
  • The government is facing scrutiny over railway maintenance after the crash and other incidents that week, including a driver’s death in Catalonia.
  • Families rejected a planned state funeral for Jan. 30 and the mass was held at a Huelva sports center with about 5,000 attendees, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Transport Minister Óscar Puente did not attend.