Pedro Sanchez has issued a statement from the site of the Cordoba train crash that has claimed at least 39 lives.
The Spanish prime minister appeared in front of transport minister Oscar Puente while wearing a high-vis jacket.
The PSOE leader visited Adamuz to inspect the site of the incident and be informed of the latest from the ongoing investigation.
Speaking to reporters, Sanchez said it was ‘a painful for day for the whole of Spain’ and that everyone’s thoughts are with the victims, the families and all those affected.
Sanchez said the state ‘from the first moment of the tragedy, has acted how it should: united, coordinated and with loyalty.’
He said he wanted to highlight the work of all the emergency services, police, security forces and public workers, from the town hall to the government, above all for their ‘professionalism, dedication and humanity.’
Sanchez accepted that Spaniards will be asking ‘how could this tragedy happen?’, to which he said ‘the technicians and experts, with time, I am convinced, will give us the answers.’
In a post on X the PM said: ‘All our thoughts, our solidarity, and the entire embrace of Spanish society are today with the victims and their families.
‘This must be a moment of unity in pain, and of unity and loyalty in the response.
‘From the very first moment, all the resources of the State have been activated, and they are working tirelessly and in a coordinated manner.
‘I want to assure you that the truth will be known and the causes will be fully clarified.’
At around 7.39pm, the last two carriages of a Malaga-Madrid Iryo train derailed and ended up on the opposite track, just as a Renfe Alvia train was passing.
The Renfe train then collided with the Iryo carriages, sending it ‘flying’ into a four-metre embankment.
