Train collision in Spain, victims' funeral in Toledo. The sovereigns Felipe and Letizia were present. PHOTO

The solemn funeral of the 69 victims of the train accident which occurred in Spain, in Urda, on 28 October will be celebrated in the cathedral of Toledo this evening, 10 November.

The Spanish sovereigns, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, are present at the ceremony.

Near the altar there are 69 lit candles, one for each person who lost their lives in the train accident.

In addition to the royals Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz, representatives of the institutions, the government and the opposition participate in the funeral. Absent, however, was the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The arrival of the sovereigns of Spain in the cathedral of Toledo for the funeral of the 69 victims of the train accident that occurred in Urda.

The archbishop of Toledo and primate of Spain, Monsignor Francisco Cerro Chaves, celebrated the funeral.

What catalyzed political attention was above all the absence of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who chose not to participate in the function. When questioned about it, Sanchez clarified: "I have never gone to religious functions", specifying that he instead participated in secular commemorative ceremonies. Explanations which, however, did not calm the opposition's controversies.

Together with the monarchs, the vice president with responsibility for Economy and Transport Carlos Cuerpo and the Minister of Education Milagros Tolon were present for the government. Also present was the leader of the Popular Party Alberto Nunez Feijoo.

Present at the funeral were not only representatives of the institutions, but also the rescuers and volunteers who intervened after the train accident.

The victims' families and over 1,500 people were present in the cathedral.

The presence of the royals Felipe VI and Letizia was announced a few days ago by the Spanish Royal House.

The ceremony is presided over by the archbishop of Toledo, Francisco Cerro Chaves. Also participating are the five bishops of the region and the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (EEC), Luis Javier Arguello.

The funeral for the victims of the Urda railway tragedy, celebrated this evening in the Cathedral of Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha, was initially scheduled for November 12th but was then brought forward to the 10th due to problems with the agenda of representatives of the various institutions. The date, therefore, was moved due to organizational and agenda needs of the authorities.