Train collision in Spain: 68 dead, Copa del Rey postponed as mark of mourning

At least 68 people were killed and more than a hundred injured Wednesday in Spain following a collision between two trains on the Madrid-Seville line near Toledo. Faced with the scale of the tragedy, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the postponement of all 24 Copa del Rey matches scheduled for that evening.

In an official statement, the RFEF justified its decision as a “gesture of solidarity with the victims of the tragic railway accident that occurred in the province of Toledo,” declaring itself “united in grief” with the affected families and standing “at the disposal of authorities to assist those concerned.” A minute of silence was also observed across the country around 8 p.m.

Federico Valverde, Uruguayan captain of Real Madrid, spoke on social media to express his support and relay missing person notices launched by relatives of passengers reported missing. “I extend all my support and affection to the injured and their loved ones. As captain of Real Madrid, I am available to help in every way necessary and to collaborate in sharing information that could help find the missing persons. Much strength to everyone,” he wrote.

Atlético de Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente chose to target Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente directly. “Wouldn’t it be time to put Twitter aside and focus on the work we pay you for? When human lives are at stake, the minimum we can demand of a Transport Minister is responsibility, seriousness, safety and respect,” the player said. He went on to denounce political leaders “more concerned with winning debates on social media than assuming their responsibilities.”

The exact circumstances of the accident had not yet been fully established in the evening, but the theory of human error following an electronic failure was gaining credibility according to initial information available.