Parish helps victims in aftermath of Spain railway crash

By Renato Martinez

In the aftermath of the deadly railway crash in Adamuz in southern Spain, the Parish of San Andrés has become a refuge for survivors and families, with its doors kept open overnight by the parish priest, Father Rafael Prados.

Two days after the accident in Adamuz, Córdoba, emergency teams continue rescue operations and the identification of victims. Authorities have confirmed 41 deaths, received 43 reports of missing persons, and reported 39 people hospitalized, 13 of them in intensive care.

On Monday, Pope Leo XIV sent his condolences to the victims and their families.

Speaking with Vatican News, Fr. Prados said that as soon as the scale of the disaster became clear, the parish mobilized to assist those affected. Together with parish staff and local residents, he opened parish facilities to receive survivors.

“Immediately after we learned about the accident, we knew the passengers who had survived would come here,” he said, noting that residents spontaneously brought water, food, and even mattresses. “Some people simply emptied their refrigerators to help feed those who arrived.”

A balm in a moment of pain

Fr. Prados explained that the parish welcomed passengers who did not require medical care. Those in serious condition were transferred to hospitals or treated at a field hospital, while others were offered food, water, hot coffee, and a place to rest.

“Once they were seated and a little calmer, within the circumstances, we accompanied them, listened to them, and allowed them to unburden themselves,” he said. “It was a balm in a moment of pain.”

Dozens killed in high-speed train crash in Spain   (AFP or licensors)

On January 19, Fr. Prados and Bishop Jesús Fernández González of Córdoba visited Adamuz to express solidarity with affected families.

The Bishop met with relatives awaiting news, offering comfort and listening to their concerns. Families were later transferred to Córdoba, where the bodies are being identified and where hospital chaplains are assisting the injured at Reina Sofía Hospital.

“In one way or another, through multiple channels, the Church is trying to accompany and console, as much as possible, those who have suffered this tragedy,” Fr. Prados said.

Remembrance

The parish priest concluded with a message of hope, assuring families of continued prayer, closeness, and practical support. Once the identification of all victims is complete, he said, the parish will celebrate a Mass for the eternal rest of the deceased.

“When we know the names of all those for whom we must pray,” he said, “we will organize a Mass to commend their souls to the Lord.”