Spain’s bishops have expressed their condolences and dismay at another railway tragedy following the collision of two high-speed trains, which resulted in dozens of deaths yesterday. Source: EWTN News.
The accident occurred in Urda, Toledo province, at around 9am local time when one train reportedly rear-ended another train operated by a different company, causing at least two passenger cars of the second train to derail.
Authorities have reported a death toll of at least 68, surpassing the number of fatalities in the accident that occurred in Adamuz in January, which claimed the lives of 45 people. With hundreds injured, the death toll is expected to rise.
Fr Fernando Fernández de Bobadilla, the parish priest of Los Yébenes, a town near the site of the accident, spoke to COPE (a radio station owned by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference) from the disaster scene while attending to the victims.
“Right now, I’m holding an IV bag in one hand and another bag in the other. It’s horrific,” he said. “They’ve already begun removing the deceased. They place a black wristband on those who have died, a red one on those in critical condition, and a yellow one on those who can be treated. The two people I’m with right now have red wristbands, and I’m waiting for them to be taken away.”
In its message, the Spanish Bishops Conference expressed its “condolences to the families of the victims and prays for the eternal rest of the deceased and for the recovery of the injured,” while also joining “in the grief of those affected”.
The bishops called for prayers for all the victims, seeking the intercession of Our Lady and commending to God “all those involved in emergency response efforts, those caring for the injured, and those providing support to the families of the victims.”
Many prelates have likewise assured their prayers and closeness in the wake of the event.
Toledo Archbishop Francisco Cerro expressed his “profound concern” and closeness to all those affected, assuring that they are offering prayers “for those who have been injured and for all those going through moments of distress and uncertainty as a result of this accident”.
The archbishop said nearby parishes and the diocesan Caritas would “make themselves available to all those affected and their families, to offer them the help, accompaniment, and support they may need during these difficult times.”
FULL STORY
Deadly train accident in Spain: The Church joins in grief (EWTN News)
