Pride in Spain’s rail network turns to soul-searching after another deadly collision
Spain’s high-speed rail network, the most extensive in Europe and the second largest in the world after China, has long ranked as a point of pride in the country. But Wednesday’s deadly crash near Los Yébenes, Toledo – the second major one in nine months – has recast the spotlight on questions about safety in the system. Officials said at least 68 people were killed on Wednesday morning after two trains collided, leading to the derailment of several carriages. The two trains were carrying 544 passengers at the time. One train, run by the state-owned Renfe company, ran into the rear of another owned by private company Iryo that had stopped, knocking two of its carriages off the track in a rural area between two villages. Spain’s transport minister, Oscar Puente, said the incident was caused by what he called an “inexplicable” order from a central command centre for Spain’s…