Former Spanish employment minister Fatima Bañez has been reported missing following the train collision in Toledo.
Bañez, from Huelva, who chairs the CEOE Foundation, was travelling on the Iryo service to Sevilla involved in Wednesday morning’s crash near Urda.
The employers’ organisation said it was awaiting information about her.
Bañez, a former Partido Popular MP, served as employment and social security minister throughout Mariano Rajoy’s premiership, from 2011 to 2018.
‘Awaiting news of Fatima Bañez, president of Fundacion CEOE, who was travelling on one of the trains involved in the accident in Toledo,’ it wrote on social media.
According to El Español, people within the Partido Popular and the business community have tried to contact her mobile phone but have received no response.
Her whereabouts and condition have not been confirmed.
CEOE also expressed its sorrow over the disaster, offering condolences to bereaved families and support to everyone affected.
The collision involved an Iryo train carrying 147 people and a Renfe AVE carrying 397, according to the report.
At least 50 people have died and more than 179 have been injured, El Español reported, citing Civil Protection.
High-speed services between Madrid and Andalucia have been suspended while emergency operations continue.
Renfe’s dedicated information line for affected passengers and victims’ relatives is 900 10 10 20.
