Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[Peter Robins]

I hope none of our contributors was on the Santiago-Hendaye train today, as it derailed at Villada, 15km south of Sahagun on the Camino Frances, causing 8 deaths, with at least 37 injured, 4 of which described as 'very serious'.
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php?idNoticia=76014
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/inicio/not ... 0000103324

[ivar]

I just saw a news clip about this on TV de Galicia. The train left Vigo this morning passed Santiago and La Coruña... said to have many pilgrims on it....

They mentioned 6 dead, 40 injured... but it is still early, it seemed a bit chaotic.

Here are some phone numbers if you have any family/friends that might be on this train:
- 900 200 222
- 902 200 215
- 800 200 112

Ivar

[ivar]

Just saw the new report on TVE. 6 dead and 60 injured, 4 serious.

The train had many pilgrims. One eyewitness said he saw a female pilgrim that he had talked to during the trip dead... this does not look good.

[Peter Robins]

as Ivar says, the death toll now put at 6, so I've changed the thread title. Of the many injured, 3 described as 'very serious'. Seems there was a speed limit on that stretch of track because of works, which the driver failed to adhere to. Photos of the site here http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/albumes/ga ... 6821193120

This means the main line Leon-Valladolid/Burgos will be closed until the wreckage is cleared, probably tomorrow. Replacement buses, so anyone planning on travelling on this line should expect delays.

BBC report here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5272152.stm

[Peter Robins]

it's been revealed that 2 of those who died worked as hospitaleros on the Camino. One, a cousin of the head of the Castilla y Leon government, is described as a life dedicated to the Camino; his brother was responsible for the conversion to an albergue of the San Anton monastery in Castrojeriz.
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php?idNoticia=76660

Funeral held in Burgos and attended by several hundred people, with homily by the archbishop of Burgos, who praised their humanitarian work in Ethiopia and India, as well as their work as hospitaleros
http://www.diariodeburgos.es/secciones. ... secc=Local

[Peter Robins]

railway line is now reopened

[Peter Robins]

most seriously injured man has now died in hospital