Guterres mourns victims of deadly Spain train crash

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed deep sadness over a train crash in Spain that killed at least 60 people.

UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told journalists on Wednesday in New York that Guterres was shocked to learn of the accident.

Dujarric said the UN chief extended his deepest condolences to the victims’ families, the Spanish people and the government.

Reports said at least 68 people died when two Spanish high-speed trains collided on Wednesday.

Rescuers continued searching the wreckage for more bodies following Spain’s second fatal rail crash this year.

The accident was also reported as Europe’s deadliest rail disaster since 2013.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a televised address near the crash site, south of Madrid, that “all of Spain” was mourning.

Sánchez said the opposition, People’s Party, had cancelled all campaign events ahead of next month’s election.

He described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” and promised a full investigation into its causes.

The prime minister added that the causes of the two rail crashes appeared unrelated.

“If we need to further strengthen safety in order to rebuild confidence in our high-speed rail system, we will do so,” Sánchez said.

He said it was unacceptable for Spain to experience two high-speed rail accidents in the same year.