King Felipe and Queen Letizia cancelled all of their engagements on Wednesday following the horrific Toledo rail crash, which has claimed the lives of at least 69 people.
However, on Thursday, the royal couple headed to the Toledo University Hospital, which is treating people who were injured as a result of the disaster. Felipe, who wore a grey suit, was greeted by the President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, as he arrived.
Meanwhile, Letizia wore a black suit as she arrived at the hospital. Both royals looked sombre as they prepared for the engagement, which saw them meet survivors of the crash, as well as thank healthcare workers treating them.
The royal couple's arrival was delayed by 30 minutes so they could avoid interfering with a shift change at the facility. Alongside Emiliano García-Page, they were joined by the Minister of Education, Milagros Tolón, and the regional health minister, Jesús Fernández Sanz.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe couple were not joined by their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, who are both currently studying.
How did the Spanish royals react to the crash?
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."
© 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.
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.
What happened in the crash?
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 69 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.
