Two Australian citizens were among the 69 people killed in a high-speed train crash in central Spain on October 28, authorities have confirmed. The collision occurred when a high-speed Renfe AVE train struck another train stopped on the tracks in the province of Toledo, approximately 150 kilometers south of Madrid.
More than 500 passengers were on board the trains at the time of the incident. The High Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha reported that all victims have been identified, comprising 40 men and 29 women. Of the deceased, 54 were Spanish citizens and 15 were foreign nationals, including the two Australians.
Consular assistance has been provided to the families of the two Australians, and Australian officials are working with local authorities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it was offering support two days after the crash, stating, "Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment."
Among the other foreign nationals killed were four Americans, two Japanese citizens, and one passenger each from France, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Portugal, Tunisia, and the Czech Republic. The authority confirmed that all identifications have been notified to the victims' families and relevant consular offices, and many bodies have been released.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente indicated that the crash may have been caused by an "inexplicable" order from a central command center for Spain's trains following a security system failure. This incident raises fresh concerns about the safety of the Spanish rail network, which has previously been lauded for its efficiency. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged a thorough investigation and improvements to restore public confidence in the system, which transported 45 million travelers last year. The crash occurred less than a month before a general election on November 29, where Sánchez is seeking to extend his term in office.