Photo: EFE
"Such a hard and difficult moment": King Felipe after the train crash
King Felipe sent his condolences to the families after the train crash at Urda in Toledo, in which at least 68 people died. The King was at a military exercise near Valencia when the accident happened, and has cancelled his engagements to visit the injured.
King Felipe has sent his condolences to the families of those who died in the train accident at Urda in the province of Toledo on Wednesday morning. A high-speed train run by Iryo and an AVE train run by the state rail company Renfe collided, and according to the regional president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, 68 people have been confirmed dead. Health Minister Mónica García says almost 80 people were injured. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
When the accident happened, the King was at the Jaime I military base in Bétera near Valencia, attending the exercise "Grifo 2026", the year's most important exercise for the army's nuclear, biological and chemical defence units.
"Such a hard and difficult moment"
Shortly after noon, the King spoke to the press at the base. "The first thing is to lament this terrible accident, which appears to have caused a large number of deaths and many injuries," he said. "We send the families our condolences, our sadness, our support and our love at such a hard and difficult moment."
He also thanked the emergency services and everyone helping at the scene, including the armed forces' Military Emergencies Unit, UME. "There are many people dealing with the emergency," he said.
The King said he had spoken to García-Page, and the Royal Household says he also spoke to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The King cut short his visit to Bétera to return to Madrid and follow the situation.
Engagements cancelled to visit the injured
King Felipe and Queen Letizia also issued a joint message: "We are deeply affected and concerned by the train accident in Urda. We stand with the families and loved ones of those who died in their grief, and send our love to the injured and all those affected. Our support also goes to the emergency teams and everyone working in the area to help as best they can."
The King has cancelled a concert in Madrid on Wednesday evening marking 150 years since the birth of cellist Pau Casals, and the closing of the World Infrastructure Forum on Thursday. According to El Debate, the King and Queen's schedule has been cleared until Friday so that they can visit the injured and meet the families of those who died.