Spain Train Driver Arrested For Manslaughter

The driver of a train that derailed in Spain killing 78 people has been accused of “reckless manslaughter”, the interior minister has said.

Jorge Fernandez Diaz said, Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, who was slightly hurt in Wednesday’s accident, had been taken to a police station.

Mr Garzon is suspected of driving too fast on a bend. Reports said the train was travelling at more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash. He has however, refused to answer questions.

At least 130 people were taken to hospital after the accident near the north-western city of Santiago de Compostela.

About 32 people were seriously injured, including children.

People from several nationalities were among the wounded, including five Americans and one Briton. One American was among the dead.

PM Mariano Rajoy, who hails from the city of the crash, declared three days of official mourning on Thursday.

Meanwhle, he has been detained while a judge was due to  try him on alleged crimes  of reckless manslaughter. But he had been under police surveillance in hospital since the accident but he was discharged on yesterday and taken to a police station.