Two South Koreans killed in Spain train crash; Prez Lee offers condolences
Seoul: Two South Korean nationals were among hundreds of people killed or injured in a tragic train collision in Spain, Seoul’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
At least 68 people were killed in the collision between two high-speed trains near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday, according to media reports. The two trains were carrying more than 500 passengers, reports Yonhap news agency.
A total of 11 South Korean passengers had been confirmed aboard the trains involved in the accident as of 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, according to the ministry.
One of the two injured passengers sustained minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment, while the other remains hospitalised, it added.
“Our embassy in Spain is maintaining close contact with local authorities and continuing to check for any additional Korean casualties,” the ministry said.
The accident occurred when a high-speed train operated by Spain’s state-owned rail operator Renfe struck a stationary train, though an investigation is under way into the exact cause of the collision, according to reports.
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday offered his condolences over the crash.
Lee wrote on social media platform X that he feels “deep sadness” that the collision on Wednesday led to many casualties, including several injured South Koreans.
“I pray for the souls of those who lost their lives and extend my deep condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and the people of Spain amid their great sadness,” he wrote. “I also sincerely wish for the quick recovery of those injured.”
Two high-speed trains collided on a railway linking Madrid and the southern region of Andalusia on Wednesday morning, killing at least 68 people, according to news reports.
Lee confirmed there were “some” South Koreans injured in the crash, saying the South Korean Embassy in Spain has sent a consul to the scene to provide consular assistance.