King Felipe cancels engagements following deadly train collision

A train collision in central Spain has left over 64 people dead and dozens more injured in the country’s second major train accident in nine months — King Felipe has cancelled his upcoming agenda.

Spain is in mourning once again after two high-speed passenger trains collided outside the city of Toledo. The accident has stunned the country with at least 64 people dead and dozens more injured as video footage showed bodies, seats and luggage thrown from the embankment with smoke rising from the overturned carriages.

King Felipe was visiting the “Jaime I” Military Base in Bétera (Valencia) when he received news of the unfolding disaster. Speaking to press, the King said, “Our condolences to the families, our sorrow, our support and our affection, in such a hard and difficult moment,” and expressed his “appreciation to all the emergency services.”

The Palace later released a statement on behalf of King Felipe and Queen Letizia as confirmation came that the King’s upcoming events for Wednesday and Thursday are cancelled. The Palace also notes that His Majesty is in constant contact with the national, regional and local authorities receiving updates as developments happen.

We are saddened and concerned by the train accident in Urda (Toledo).

We share in the grief of the families and loved ones of the deceased and send our love to the injured and those affected.

Our support also goes out to the emergency teams and all those working in the area to help in any way they can under these circumstances. —King Felipe and Queen Letizia

HOLA! has confirmed that Infanta Elena, King Felipe’s older sister, was on a train heading to an engagement at the time but was not on one of the trains affected by the collision. Sources close to the Infanta say, via HOLA!, that she is shaken given the nature and magnitude of the growing disaster but is unharmed.

King Felipe may visit the area of the disaster in the next couple of days coinciding with the cancellation of his agenda for Wednesday and Thursday.

The Emir of Qatar has been the first royal abroad to express his solidarity as the Amiri Diwan notes that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of condolences to King Felipe regarding the victims of the collision, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.