Summary
Spain observes three days of national mourning following a devastating train crash that resulted in 69 fatalities. This incident marks the second tragedy on the country's high-speed train network this year. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the crash site, commending the coordination among civil protection organizations and assuring that efforts are underway to support victims' families with timely information.
Freelance journalist Simon Hunter reports that while the death toll remains unchanged, approximately 50 individuals are still hospitalized from the 200 injured. The identification of the deceased is ongoing, with reports indicating that a former government minister, Fatima Banyath, is among the victims. Families are grappling with uncertainty, as 64 missing person reports have been filed, revealing heart-wrenching stories of those affected, including a woman en route to her daughter's wedding.
The investigation into the crash is expected to be lengthy, with preliminary findings suggesting human error as a significant factor. Leaked recordings from the Madrid control center indicate that instructions were given to a train to proceed at full speed despite a safety system failure, contradicting established protocols. The inquiry will focus on the miscommunication between train controllers and the circumstances that led to the tragic collision.
Show Notes
The train crash has claimed the lives of 69 people, Spanish police say work to identify victims is still ongoing. Freelance Journalist Simon Hunter spoke to Cian from Spain.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from News at One
Evidence of human activity dating back some 9,000 years has been uncovered in Wicklow for the first time in the County. An archaeological dig near Blessington discovered a number of artefacts buried in a charcoal pit on the site of the Threecastles Solar Farm. Archaeologist Laurence Dunne tells us exactly what they dug up.
Eli Lilly’s next generation weight loss drug, known as retatrutide, was shown to provide more than double the weight loss of Ozempic’s highest dose, according to new clinical trial results. Professor Donal O'Shea, Anti-Obesity Specialist on the results of this study. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Numbers from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation showed 840 patients waiting on trolleys yesterday. Dr John Cronin, president of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine, on why hospitals are facing a trolley crisis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
U2 has released the details of their upcoming European and UK tour, but with no Irish dates! For the latest, Ken Sweeney, Showbiz Editor of the Irish Sun.
Over the past 12 months there have been 38,589 homes built in Ireland. New CSO figures show just over a 10% increase then the same time last year. Our reporter Cara McHugh gets reaction from people in Dublin about housing and our Economics and Public Affairs Editor, David Murphy tells us more about the figures.