A Canadian national and four Americans are among 69 people killed in a devastating high-speed train collision in Spain last week, authorities confirmed Sunday.
Officials said 66 victims had been identified as of late Sunday, with three bodies still awaiting identification.
The majority of those killed were Spanish citizens, accounting for 54 of the fatalities. Other identified victims included nationals from France, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Portugal, Tunisia and the Czech Republic.
Authorities also reported that three individuals remain missing, including two Australians and one Japanese national.
The collision occurred Wednesday in Spain’s Toledo province when a high-speed passenger train struck another train that had stopped on the tracks.
The disaster has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network, which has long been recognized for its efficiency and reliability.
The latest tragedy comes just nine months after another deadly collision along the same Madrid-Seville railway line claimed 46 lives farther south.
The two major accidents within a relatively short period have intensified scrutiny of railway safety standards, maintenance practices and infrastructure investments across the country.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged a thorough investigation into the latest collision and promised improvements aimed at restoring public confidence in the national railway system.
Spain’s rail network transported approximately 45 million passengers last year, including millions of international tourists who rely on high-speed trains to travel between major cities.
The crash also comes at a politically sensitive time for Sánchez, who is preparing for Spain’s November 29 general election.
The prime minister, who is seeking to extend his eight-year tenure, faces mounting questions about his government’s management of railway infrastructure and the adequacy of investments in transportation safety.
With the investigation underway and three victims still unidentified, authorities continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.
The tragedy has placed renewed pressure on Spanish officials to address safety concerns and prevent further disasters on one of Europe’s busiest high-speed rail networks.
