Driver held as death toll reaches at least 80

The driver of a Spanish train was taken into custody in hospital last night after at least 80 people died when it derailed and caught fire in a crash which was reportedly caused by excessive speed.

The eight-carriage high velocity train came off the tracks just outside Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain on Wednesday night. It was one of Europe’s worst rail disasters.

The pilgrimage centre of Santiago should have been celebrating one of Europe’s biggest Christian festivals yesterday on the feast of St James. Authorities cancelled festivities as the city went into mourning.