Topic: Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents
DFAT is working to confirm the welfare of two Australians involved in a crash between two high-speed trains. ( Reuters: Ana Beltran )
Australian authorities are working to confirm the wellbeing of two Australians after the deadly train crash in Spain.
A statement from DFAT says consular assistance is being provided to the family of two Australians in connection to the collision.
The crash in central Spain has killed at least 69 people.
Australian authorities are working to confirm the wellbeing of two Australians after the deadly train crash in Spain earlier this week.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says consular assistance is being provided to the family of two Australians in connection with the collision.
"Our heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones of those killed, with those injured and all affected by the train collision in Spain," a spokesperson said.
The crash in central Spain on Wednesday killed at least 69 people.
The crash has become one of Europe's deadliest train disasters this century. ( AP: Manu Fernandez )
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the security system on a stretch of track stopped working due to a computer malfunction, causing all trains on that stretch to stop.
Minutes after the order to stop was given, a train from state operator Renfe was told by central command it could run again without speed restrictions, leading it to collide with a train operated by the private Spanish company Iryo.
There were more than 500 passengers on the two trains, according to a regional governor.
The Renfe train was told it could start running again and then collided with the stationary Iryo train. ( ABC News: Ryan Boyle )
The resulting collision has become one of Europe's deadliest train disasters. Spain has since begun three days of mourning.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who faces a general election on November 29, pledged to establish the cause of the crash.
"We are working day and night not only to support the victims' families, but also to establish every last detail of this tragedy and strengthen safety measures to ensure it never happens again," he said.
The crash follows another collision between two high-speed trains in January, which killed 46 people.
In its wake Spain's government faced heavy criticism over the management of the country's railways.
The investigation into the January incident is ongoing.
