Andalusia plans Adamuz-style aid for Urda victims

The Junta said on Wednesday 4 November that it plans to give Urda victims the same aid offered after Adamuz.

The crash took place near Urda in Toledo province on 28 October and killed 69 people. The Adamuz crash on 18 January killed 46.

Payments and help for families

The planned one-off sum is €14,424 for each death. Aid for injured people would range from €481 to €16,828. The sum would depend on the passenger insurance scale.

Jaime Mora, the official named after Adamuz, will return to the post. He will contact families and injured people about the payments.

This Junta aid is separate from the €30 million approved by the Spanish cabinet on Tuesday. That fund was €10 million more than the Adamuz fund, the checked report said.

Work on the first Junta aid plan is still under way. The claim window opened in June and drew 191 requests. Of those, 125 came from direct victims. The other 66 came from the families of people who died.

The Junta said on 15 October that it had closed 23 files. A further 77 were well on their way.

Team will study the cost of the closure

Andalusian president Juanma Moreno also ordered a team of Junta offices to meet affected groups. Its aim is to limit the harm from the closed Madrid–Andalusia rail link.

Tourism is a key concern. Seville and Granada had trip cancellations and fewer guests over the All Saints' holiday period, the Junta said.

The team will collect facts from firms before it puts a value on the loss. It may also look at ways to promote trips to Andalusia.

Junta spokesperson Carolina España asked the Spanish government for more flights to the region's six airports. She also wants fare caps and more road travel while rail links are cut.

España said a Junta office had spoken to an airline about more links. She said the tourism office was also making checks.

Rail line needs a safety check

The Junta wants the high-speed line open as soon as it is safe. It has asked rail experts for an urgent and full check.

España said the aim is to win back trust in the route. She also asked the Spanish government to explain the faults behind the crash.

The new team will link the work on aid, travel and help for firms. The Junta has not yet put a figure on the wider loss.

Sources: El Español; Diario de Cádiz; Canal Sur; Europa Press