Six-year-old survives Spain train disaster that killed her family as death toll climbs
Madrid: Spain is in mourning after a devastating train accident in the country’s south left at least 42 people dead, including an entire family, with one six-year-old girl emerging as the sole survivor from among her closest relatives.
The crash occurred when two trains collided after one of them derailed for reasons that are still under investigation, as reported by Associated Press News. The impact tore through the front carriages, which suffered the heaviest damage, leaving mangled metal, scattered debris and dozens of casualties along a steep slope beside the tracks.
Amid the wreckage, Civil Guard personnel discovered the young girl barefoot on the railway line after she managed to escape through a shattered window, according to reports by Spanish daily La Vanguardia. Despite the severity of the accident, she sustained only minor injuries and received three stitches to her head at a hospital. Doctors later confirmed that she was in stable condition.
The child lost her parents, her brother and a cousin in the crash, authorities said, leaving her orphaned. The victims belonged to the Zamorano Álvarez family from Punta Umbria, a town that has since declared three days of mourning. Local officials said the family had been seated in the front section of the train, which absorbed the force of the collision.
On Tuesday, Punta Umbria observed a minute of silence in memory of those who died. According to an AP report, Mayor José Carlos Hernández said the survival of the girl offered a small measure of comfort amid widespread grief. “Many people are deeply saddened by this terrible accident, but there is also solace in knowing that some survived, like the miracle of this girl who is safe,” he said.
The mayor added that the child is now staying with her grandparents at a hotel in Córdoba, the nearest major city to the crash site. “She has a strong family around her, who will do everything possible to ensure she has a good life,” he said.
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No confusion in BJP-JD(S) alliance: Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday dismissed speculation over confusion in the BJP-JD(S) alliance, asserting that there was clarity within them and that discussions on the chief minister post were premature.
Addressing reporters at the party's state office, JP Bhavan, after chairing a preparatory meeting for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, he said the immediate priority was to remove what he termed an "anti-people government" in the state and to strengthen the alliance to face upcoming polls.
"This is not the time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is still time for that. If we speak about it now, it would be like stitching the cradle even before the baby is born," Kumaraswamy said, underlining that leadership questions would be taken up at an appropriate time.
The JD(S) second-in-command said there is still a lot of work to be done and it was not appropriate to speak about such matters now.
"On the issue of alliance, both I and our party are open-minded. When the time comes, we will discuss it on the party platform and take a decision. There is no confusion regarding the alliance, and there will be no confusion in the future. This is my stand," Kumaraswamy said.
"There is a bad government in the state. My objective is to remove it and bring in a pro-people government. Removing this corrupt and bad government is my agenda. The JD(S) and BJP parties will work together to accomplish this task," he added.
Reiterating his stand, Kumaraswamy said, "My objective is to remove the anti-people government in the state. I have been saying this from the beginning."
On reports of internal differences over the alliance and the CM's position, the union minister said he would not respond to every statement made by individuals.
"Some people are speaking about the alliance and the chief minister's position. I do not feel the need to respond to them. If I start answering each of them, people may think I lack maturity. Therefore, I will not speak about it. We will strengthen the alliance together, face the elections together, and bring a pro-people government," he said.
Kumaraswamy added that discussions within parties were natural and not final.
He said there were still two years left for the Assembly elections while there were four to five months left for the local body elections.
The union minister said the JD(S) is also preparing for the municipal elections in Bengaluru city just as other parties.
He clarified that there had been no discussions so far between the two parties specifically on local body or GBA elections.
Earlier, the JD(S) leader chaired a meeting with Members of the Legislative Council, former MLAs and other leaders of his party to review preparations for the GBA elections.
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