MADRID, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish government on Tuesday approved a 30-million-euro (about 33.6 million U.S. dollars) emergency aid package for victims of the high-speed train collision near the town of Urda on Oct. 28, which killed 69 people and left many others injured.
The package, approved by the Council of Ministers, includes 15 million euros (about 16.8 million dollars) in direct aid and another 15 million euros (about 16.8 million dollars) in advance compensation payments.
Families of those killed will receive approximately 72,121 euros (about 80,776 dollars) in direct aid and an equal amount in advance compensation, while injured victims will receive payments based on the severity of their injuries.
The measures also include doubling the compensation provided by mandatory passenger insurance, establishing dedicated support offices and introducing special procedures to assist injured victims unable to work.
"The most urgent and absolute priority is providing aid to the victims," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday when announcing the measures, expressing his gratitude to public servants involved in the emergency response.
All 69 victims of the Urda accident have now been identified, including 54 Spanish nationals and 15 foreign citizens.
The accident was the second major railway tragedy in Spain this year, following a crash near Adamuz in the southern province of Cordoba on Jan. 18, which claimed 46 lives. ■
