Rail victims slam government

SIX years after the Angrois rail disaster, victims and their families claimed that successive governments have hindered the investigation. 

Eighty people died and 144 were injured when an Alvia express was derailed, allegedly due to the train driver’s oversight on a tight curve preceded by a long and almost straight section of track on the approach to Santiago de Compostela (Galicia). 

Responsibilities for the accident have yet to be determined although the investigating judge handling the case has named as defendants the train driver, Francisco Garzon Amo, and Andres Cortabitarte, rail operator Adif’s former Safety and Security director. 

The Alvia 04155 Victims Association has issued a statement criticising inaction on the part of the government at the time of the accident, then headed by Mariano Rajoy, and the government of his successor, Pedro Sanchez. 

“It says very little for our institutions that there has not been an independent investigation as the European Union repeatedly recommended,” the statement maintained. 

“The PSOE is now following in the footsteps of the PP by hiding the truth and not complying with its obligation of investigating the tragedy.”