Young athlete and former minister among victims of Spain train crash
A collision between two high-speed trains near Urda in central Spain killed 69 people on Wednesday, including a young athlete and a former government minister. More than 100 people were injured, many seriously, and the death toll may rise as families search for missing relatives.
Among those confirmed dead are 24-year-old long jumper Julieta Gallego, former employment minister Fátima Báñez, 59, Civil Guard officer José Manuel Chacón, 31, and tax lawyer Antonio Montero Domínguez. Gallego competed for Madrid club AD Sprint and had a best jump of 5.9 metres; Báñez served in Mariano Rajoy’s government from 2011 to 2018 and was the first woman to hold the employment post. The crash is Spain’s second rail disaster this year and its deadliest since 2013.
In short
- Spain’s train crash has killed 69 people.
- More than 100 people were injured.
- Victims include athlete Julieta Gallego and former minister Fátima Báñez.
Explained simply
High-speed rail connects Spain’s major cities, and the route through central Spain carries passengers between regional centres. Train crashes involving multiple services can affect people from across the country, as well as the communities around the railway.
The people named among those who died came from different parts of public life. Julieta Gallego competed in long jump, while Fátima Báñez served as employment minister in Mariano Rajoy’s government from 2011 to 2018; a Civil Guard officer and a tax lawyer were also among the victims.
The crash is Spain’s second rail disaster this year and its deadliest since 2013. Its impact extends beyond the loss of life: many people were injured, and families have been trying to find out whether relatives are safe.
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