Audio recordings shed light on decisions before Spain train crash

World · First reported 29 Oct, 07:56 · Updated 20:22

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA/USGS · Public domain

Recordings published in Spanish media capture communications between train drivers and Madrid’s control centre before a collision near Urda that killed 69 people. They indicate that a Renfe train was cleared to continue at normal speed while an Iryo train remained stopped; officials are investigating the crash.

The crash near Urda killed 69 people and injured dozens, according to the BBC.
The recordings show the control centre authorizing a Renfe train to continue at normal speed while an Iryo train was stopped ahead.
The Iryo driver later told the control centre the train could not be restarted; the accounts differ on whether the Renfe driver was warned before the collision. [3a25f8cb-9db6-497e-bf19-5ed1b6b79f68
Spain’s transport minister described the decision to allow trains to move without speed restrictions as inexplicable, while officials investigate the cause.
Emergency teams continued recovery work, and authorities asked families of missing people to provide DNA samples at local centres.

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Key facts

Deaths: 69, according to the BBC and Le Monde; El País reports at least 68.
Location: Near Urda, Spain.
Recorded instruction: The Renfe driver was told to continue at normal speed.
Missing passengers: NBC reported 67 remained missing as of Thursday, citing Spanish officials.