A Spanish train derailed killing at least 79 passengers. Officials at first said they believed it to be an accident. All 13 carriages flew off the track as the train sped at high speed around a bend.
Described as a “Dante-esque” scene, “TV images showed one car ripped apart, another on fire and blanket-covered bodies beside the ruined carriages.”
This is the worst railway disaster in Spain since 1972 when 77 people died in another train that derailed in Andalusia.
The train was headed to Santiago de Compostela, a popular pilgrimage site venerating the apostle James, whose remains are allegedly buried in the town.
The train was traveling at roughly twice the speed limit of 50 mph (80 kph) around a curve. The driver of the train has been placed under investigation. Safety systems exist in many modern trains that are designed to prevent excessive speed such as this.
“The tempest is coming, and we must get ready for its fury by having repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth. We shall see troubles on all sides… and human lives will be sacrificed by millions… Disasters by rail will become more and more frequent; confusion, collision, and death without a moment’s warning will occur on the great lines of travel. The end is near, probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near!…” Maranatha, page 37