‘MANY’ FATALITIES IN SPANISH TRAIN CRASH

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21:30 – Unconfirmed reports suggest that as many as 15 to 20 people have been killed in a high speed train crash near Santiago de Campostela.

The train was on a route from Santiago to Ferrol, derailing around 4 kilometres from the centre of the religiously historic centre, on a curve at Angrois.

Pictures from the scene showed rescuers battling to free survivors, as well as lining up bodies of those who didn´t make it.

22:50 – With 24 casualties confirmed by official sources, this is the worst train accident in 40 years in Spain. The worst was last Chinchilla (Albacete), in 2003, with a collision that left 19 dead.

22:55 – An emergency helpline has been set up for concerned relatives 981 55 1100.

23:00 – Hospital Universitario de Santiago send out an urgent appeal for donations of blood to treat the injured.

23:30 – Official number of fatalities now put at 35 – Police suggesting the final figure will be in excess of 40. Initial investigations suggest train was travelling at a higher than permitted speed for the bend.

23:35 – Emergency staff now asking everybody to avoid the area, due to severe gridlock. They also thank everybody for their involvement in choosing to donate.

23:40 – The Spanish Government has confirmed there was NO attack of any sort that caused this tragedy. The incident occurred at 20:41, when thirteen cars of an Alvia train covering the route between Madrid and Ferrol derailed.

23:50 – All official celebrations for the Dia de Galicia, scheduled for Thursday 25th of July, have been suspended in memory of those involved in the tragedy.

23:55 – According to police reports, the blood donation centers in Santiago are saturated, but you can go to donate to the hospital complexes in Coruña and Vigo.

00:05 – Sources are now reporting that the train was travelling at more than twice the permitted speed on the 80 kilometre per hour line.

00:10 – In addition to the police emergency line, train operator Renfe has set up a phone number available to those affected, 900 101 660.

00:15 – The train driver is reported to have escaped having suffered only minor injuries.

00:20 – Official figures now state that more than 40 people have died in the crash, there are 50 injured, 20 of them seriously.

00:40 – The number of confirmed fatalities has now reached 50.

00:45 – Blood centres looking for type "O" and "A" as a priority. Portugal has offered any help needed.

The follow-on article to this live feed is available by clicking here.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/40026/

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