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explain spain train accident in 500 words

• The Spain train accident, commonly referred to as the Santiago de Compostela train disaster, occurred on July 24, 2013, when a high-speed train derailed near the city of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest region of Galicia. This tragic event claimed the lives of 79 people and injured more than 140 others, making it one of the deadliest rail accidents in Spanish history.
• The train involved in the disaster was a Alvia service operated by Renfe, Spain's state-owned railway company, which was traveling from Madrid to Ferrol. As the train approached the curve at the station of Angrois, it was reportedly traveling at approximately 190 kilometers per hour (118 mph), nearly twice the speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) for that section of the track. The excessive speed caused the train to derail, leading to a catastrophic collision with the embankment and resulting in several carriages being thrown off the track.
• Investigations into the accident revealed that a combination of factors contributed to the disaster. One of the critical issues identified was the lack of a functioning automatic train protection system, known as the European Train Control System (ETCS), which could have intervened to slow down the train as it approached the dangerous curve. At the time of the accident, the train was equipped with a different safety system that failed to provide adequate protection.
• Additionally, the investigation uncovered that the train's driver had been distracted by a phone conversation with a colleague shortly before the accident. This distraction raised questions about the operational procedures in place and the overall culture of safety within the railway system. The driver survived the crash and was later charged with 79 counts of homicide due to professional negligence.
• The aftermath of the disaster saw widespread media coverage, public mourning, and political ramifications. Spain's then-Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, visited the site of the crash, expressing condolences to the victims' families and pledging to improve rail safety. The incident sparked debates regarding railway safety regulations and practices, leading to calls for better training for train operators and more stringent safety measures.
• In 2016, a court trial began to hold accountable those responsible for the accident. The driver, who faced legal proceedings, maintained that he was not solely to blame and pointed to systemic issues within Renfe and the Spanish railway infrastructure. After a lengthy legal process, in 2017, the court found the driver guilty of homicide due to professional negligence and sentenced him to four years in prison. However, the ruling faced criticism and controversy, as it was seen by some as an attempt to place blame on an individual rather than addressing the broader systemic failures that contributed to the accident.
• The Santiago de Compostela train disaster serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safety in transportation systems. It prompted significant reforms in Spain’s railway safety protocols, including the implementation of more advanced safety technologies to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The disaster remains a pivotal moment in Spain's railway history, highlighting the need for vigilance and accountability in ensuring the safety of public transport systems.