Spain Begins Three Days of Mourning After Deadly High-Speed Train Crash

Spain has begun three days of mourning following a catastrophic high-speed train collision south of Madrid that killed at least 68 people and injured more than 100 others. The disaster occurred when a moving train struck another train that had stopped further up the track. Some reports state the death toll is at least 68, while earlier figures mentioned lower numbers such as 30 or 39. The transport minister described the incident as being caused by an "inexplicable" error.

Emergency services worked through the night, combing through the wreckage to rescue survivors and recover victims in what marks one of Europe's worst modern rail disasters and Spain's deadliest in over a decade. The Civil Guard set up clinics to collect DNA samples from relatives to help identify the dead. Meanwhile, passengers recounted harrowing details of the impact, describing carriages filled with severely injured people.

The tragedy is the second fatal rail incident of the year on the network, raising fresh questions and doubts regarding safety, maintenance investment, and the country's extensive high-speed rail system. The disaster also fueled public anger, leading to protests in Madrid where far-right demonstrators clashed with riot police as the nation demands answers.