King Mohammed VI has sent a message of condolence to King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain following the deadly high-speed train collision in the Toledo province.
“On behalf of the Moroccan people and in my own name, I express, through you, to the bereaved families, and, to the Spanish people, my profound compassion,” said the King in his message, voicing Morocco’s
full solidarity with Spain during this tragic train collision.
According to press reports, at least 68 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a Spanish high-speed train collided on Wednesday with another train south of the capital Madrid
The updated death toll makes this crash the country’s worst rail disaster since 2013. Spain’s transport Minister Óscar Puente says a computer failure led to the initial halting of six trains, including the two trains that subsequently collided. More than 500 passengers were travelling on the two trains.
“In the event of a system failure, the control center takes over,” Puente says, adding it was the control center which decided to allow the trains to move again, without any speed restrictions.
Protesters have gathered outside the transport ministry, and one of the country’s largest trade unions has called on Puente to resign.
Speaking at the crash site, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vows to find out “why this tragedy occurred”.
