Death toll rises to 68 in Spanish train crash; 2 Japanese nationals on passenger list, safety confirmation urgently confirmed

[Paris Current Affairs] Local authorities announced that 68 people were killed in a collision between two high-speed trains in the central Spanish province of Toledo on the 28th. According to local media, more than 100 people were injured and taken to hospitals, about 20 of them in critical condition. Rescue and search operations continued at the scene.

Officials from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 29th that they had been informed by Spanish authorities that the names of two Japanese nationals were on the passenger list. The Japanese Embassy in Spain is rushing to confirm his safety.

Prime Minister Sánchez visited the accident site in Uruda, in the same province. He stated that there will be a three-day mourning period starting on the 29th, and urged, ``We will resolutely take the necessary measures to restore trust in high-speed rail and ensure the safety of users.''

A total of about 540 people were on board the two trains that collided. A malfunction occurred in the automatic operation management system, causing the preceding train to stop. The control center then switched to manual mode and allowed the following train to proceed, leading to the disaster. Transport Minister Puente criticized the decision by air traffic control in a press conference, calling it "inexplicable."