At Least 68 Killed in Spain Rail Crash: Train Was Ordered to Go 'in Error', Says Minister, as Madrid Sees Protests

A rail collision in Spain on Wednesday claimed at least 68 lives. The country's transport minister said the crash came after a train was ordered to go 'in error' despite a technical failure that had halted all services.

According to the minister, the train was told to proceed while services were suspended because of the technical failure — and that instruction was the mistake.

Anger over the disaster has spread in Spain. Hundreds of people joined an anti-government protest in the capital, Madrid, demanding the transport minister's resignation.

During the Madrid protest, far-right demonstrators clashed with police. Riot police were deployed to control the situation.

Questions have been raised over the authorities' handling of the disaster, and the Madrid protest centred its resignation demand on those questions.