King Felipe issued an urgent statement on Wednesday following a train collision in Toledo, saying that he and his wife, Queen Letizia, were "moved and concerned" by the crash.
Although King Charles hasn't shared a public statement on the tragedy, HELLO! understands that the monarch has sent a private message of condolence to the Spanish royal following the tragedy.
On Wednesday, there was a collision between two trains travelling on the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line, with the crash happening between the towns of Mora and Orgaz. It has been reported that one of the trains was stationary at the time of the accident.
Over 500 passengers were travelling on the two trains, and at least 68 sadly lost their lives. It is the country's worst rail accident since 2013, when an Alvia high-speed train derailed, leading to the deaths of 78 people.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesOne of the passengers, Miguel Ángel Pérez Laguna, who was travelling in one of the last carriages of the AVE high-speed train, told Capital Radio: "The impact was incredibly strong," explaining that he felt it as if it had happened right in front of him.
Spain has been hit by several rail disasters this year. Back in January, a high-speed train derailed in Adamuz and it was subsequently struck by a second train, leading to the deaths of 46 people. Just two days later, a landslide struck a different train, causing it to derail and killing its trainee driver.
How have the Spanish royals reacted to the tragedy?
In the wake of the tragedy, Felipe and Letizia said in a statement: "We are moved and concerned by the train accident in Urda (Toledo). We share in the sorrow of the families and loved ones of the deceased and send our affection to the injured and those affected.
"Our support also goes to the emergency teams and all those working in the area to help as much as possible under these circumstances."
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesAs news of the accident broke, Felipe was conducting an engagement at the Jaime I military base in Bétera (Valencia). After the exercise concluded, he explained to the media that it had been shorter than usual so he could return to Madrid as soon as possible and monitor the emergency.
"I am waiting to return so I can follow the emergency and learn more details of what has happened," he told the media. "We have obviously shortened this activity in Valencia, in Bétera, and we will return as quickly as possible."
Following the accident, the Spanish monarch has cancelled all his engagements for Wednesday and Thursday. It means he will no longer be attending a commemorative concert at the National Music Auditorium, nor the closing ceremony of the World Infrastructure Forum.
