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Spanish train crash: politicians and royals join hundreds at memorial mass Spanish train crash: politicians and royals join hundreds at memorial mass
(about 2 months later)
Spanish royals and political leaders joined hundreds in Santiago de Compostela's cathedral to mourn the 79 people killed in last week's train crash, as investigators prepared to examine the train's black box data recorders for more clues into the country's worst rail disaster in decades.Spanish royals and political leaders joined hundreds in Santiago de Compostela's cathedral to mourn the 79 people killed in last week's train crash, as investigators prepared to examine the train's black box data recorders for more clues into the country's worst rail disaster in decades.
The driver, Francisco José Garzón Amo, faces multiple charges of negligent homicide for the tragedy. The investigation has increasingly focused on him and his failure to brake as the train hurtled into a high-risk curve.The driver, Francisco José Garzón Amo, faces multiple charges of negligent homicide for the tragedy. The investigation has increasingly focused on him and his failure to brake as the train hurtled into a high-risk curve.
The black box could clear up whether there was a mechanical or technical failure. Experts are expected to start examining it on Tuesday.The black box could clear up whether there was a mechanical or technical failure. Experts are expected to start examining it on Tuesday.
Garzon was charged late on Sunday but allowed to leave custody without bail. He was driven from the court in a police car after dark, but it was not clear where he was taken.Garzon was charged late on Sunday but allowed to leave custody without bail. He was driven from the court in a police car after dark, but it was not clear where he was taken.
Officials said 70 people injured in the train accident remained in hospital, 22 of them in critical condition.Officials said 70 people injured in the train accident remained in hospital, 22 of them in critical condition.
Crown Prince Felipe and his wife, Princess Letizia, and his sister Princess Elena attended the mass at Santiago de Compostela's cathedral on Monday evening, along with the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, and other politicians.Crown Prince Felipe and his wife, Princess Letizia, and his sister Princess Elena attended the mass at Santiago de Compostela's cathedral on Monday evening, along with the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, and other politicians.
Hundreds of others stood and sat in the broad plaza outside, overlooked by the cathedral's twin bell towers, where a giant video screen broadcast the service. Black mourning ribbons dotted the city.Hundreds of others stood and sat in the broad plaza outside, overlooked by the cathedral's twin bell towers, where a giant video screen broadcast the service. Black mourning ribbons dotted the city.
The imposing cathedral, consecrated in 1128, is one of Christianity's most venerated shrines and is the last stop for the faithful who make it to the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route that has drawn Christians since the middle ages. Catholic pilgrims converge on the city to celebrate a festival honouring St James, the disciple of Jesus whose remains are said to rest in a shrine there.The imposing cathedral, consecrated in 1128, is one of Christianity's most venerated shrines and is the last stop for the faithful who make it to the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route that has drawn Christians since the middle ages. Catholic pilgrims converge on the city to celebrate a festival honouring St James, the disciple of Jesus whose remains are said to rest in a shrine there.
The crash occurred on the eve of annual festivities at the shrine, which were subsequently cancelled.The crash occurred on the eve of annual festivities at the shrine, which were subsequently cancelled.
Most of the dead were Spaniards but there were also victims from Algeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, France, Italy, Mexico and the US. The train was almost certainly carrying would-be pilgrims although most usually walk to Santiago from Spain and abroad.Most of the dead were Spaniards but there were also victims from Algeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, France, Italy, Mexico and the US. The train was almost certainly carrying would-be pilgrims although most usually walk to Santiago from Spain and abroad.
On Sunday, families of victims performed the painful task of collecting their loved ones' belongings from police.On Sunday, families of victims performed the painful task of collecting their loved ones' belongings from police.
The Spanish rail agency has said the brakes should have been applied 4km (2.5 miles) before the train hit the curve. A witness who rushed to the scene said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that minutes after the crash Garzón told him he hadn't been able to brake.The Spanish rail agency has said the brakes should have been applied 4km (2.5 miles) before the train hit the curve. A witness who rushed to the scene said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that minutes after the crash Garzón told him he hadn't been able to brake.
The witness, Evaristo Iglesias, said he and another person accompanied the blood-soaked Garzón to flat ground where other injured people were being laid out waiting for emergency services to arrive. A photograph shows Iglesias in a pink shirt and cap helping the bloodied driver.The witness, Evaristo Iglesias, said he and another person accompanied the blood-soaked Garzón to flat ground where other injured people were being laid out waiting for emergency services to arrive. A photograph shows Iglesias in a pink shirt and cap helping the bloodied driver.
"He told us that he wanted to die," Iglesias told Antena 3 television. "He said he had needed to brake but couldn't." He added that Garzón said "he had been going fast.""He told us that he wanted to die," Iglesias told Antena 3 television. "He said he had needed to brake but couldn't." He added that Garzón said "he had been going fast."
Spain's state-run train company, Renfe, has described Garzón as an experienced driver who knew the route well.Spain's state-run train company, Renfe, has described Garzón as an experienced driver who knew the route well.
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