At least 78 were killed and 140 injured Wednesday after a train heading from Madrid to Ferrol derailed near Santiago de Compostela. The historic city is home to the shrine of St. James, making it the final destination for those traveling the Camino de Santiago, a 1,000 year-old religious pilgrimage that stretches from France to Spain. An estimated 100,000 Christians successfully complete the journey each year.
AP
The crash occurred on Wednesday at 8.40pm as the train, carrying 247 passengers, approached the north-western Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela.
On Thursday, Spain's transportation secretary said that the train was traveling too fast, and some media reports have suggested that the train was moving at twice the speed limit as it rounded the curve.
Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty
The accident occurred just one day ahead of the 'Fiesta de Santiago,' a celebration honoring St. James the Apostle. Santiago de Compostela officials have since cancelled the religious festival.
El correo Gallego/Antonio Hernandez
Two men comforted an injured woman after the horrific train crash on Wednesday. One local official in Galicia described the crash site as a "scene from hell."
The train was reportedly on the express route from Spain's capital to Ferrol, a major ship-building city on the Galician coast.
Estimates of 140 people were wounded—some critically—when the eight-car passenger train derailed.
At least one train car was torn open by the derailment.
Antonio Hernandez/El correo Gallego, via AP
