Protests erupted in Madrid on Wednesday evening after a rail disaster that killed 68 people, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Transport Minister Óscar Puente, infohub.kz reports.
According to the latest figures, at least 68 people were killed and about 100 injured when a high-speed train collided with a stationary train in Spain on Wednesday.
Spain's CSIF union demanded the resignation of Transport Minister Óscar Puente after he said the deadly rail crash on Wednesday was caused by an "inexplicable" erroneous order from a dispatcher. The Times of India reported that the union accused the minister of trying to shift blame onto a railway official instead of taking responsibility himself.
The calls for the minister's resignation came as protests swept Madrid's streets on Wednesday evening. About 500 demonstrators gathered outside the Transport Ministry building. Some threw bottles and flares at police. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Protesters demanded the resignation of government officials.
Earlier reports said trains had collided in Spain and spoke of 64 deaths. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry commented on the rail disaster in Spain. The country declared three days of mourning.
According to videos circulating on social media, hundreds of people protested outside Spain's Transport Ministry after the train disaster, which reportedly killed 68 people. Demonstrators chanted "Óscar Puente, minister of death" as police moved against the protesters.
Police dispersed the crowd after flares and various objects were thrown at them. The protest was reportedly organized by right-wing groups, including the Falange and Vox-linked Revuelta. According to EFE, this is the second deadly disaster on the same high-speed line in less than a year.