Spain mourns after latest train tragedy kills 69

Spain has declared three days of mourning following a high-speed train crash in Castilla-La Mancha that killed 69 people, according to Punch. The collision occurred on Wednesday near Urda in Toledo and involved two high-speed trains, El Pais English reports.

The driver of the Renfe AVE and a trainee accompanying him have not been located since the accident, according to El Pais English. The incident has raised questions regarding rail safety and has focused attention on the conditions of train drivers and other rail workers, who have been in conflict with Spain's public rail operators for years.

El Pais English notes that this tragedy follows several recent rail disasters, including the Adamuz rail crash in Córdoba that killed 46 people nine months ago, and a collision at Gelida in January that resulted in the death of a trainee driver. A professional association of nearly 6,000 members has expressed discontent, objecting to workers being blamed before investigations are finished.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Punch, El Pais English — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.