Evangelical group calls on churches to support families of victims killed in Spain train crash
The Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) expressed its condolences to the families of those who died in the train collision that occurred this Wednesday in Toledo and called on churches to offer their support to those affected.
In a statement Wednesday, the organization also requested that the investigation be conducted rigorously and transparently, allowing for the adoption of measures to prevent another tragedy of this nature.
The statement comes after the collision between a Renfe AVE train and an Iryo train on the Madrid-Andalusia corridor, whose provisional death toll has risen to 68.
FEREDE expressed its solidarity with the injured and all other affected individuals. The document is signed by its president, Esteban Muñoz de Morales Mohedano, and its executive secretary, Carolina Bueno Calvo.
Support for families and survivors
The federation extended a special invitation to the evangelical communities of Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid and Andalusia to offer support during the coming days.
"We invite our churches, and especially those in Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid, and Andalusia, to make themselves available to the families and survivors," the statement reads. Along with this call for availability and support, the organization encouraged congregations to pray for those suffering the consequences of the accident.
FEREDE also acknowledged the work of the emergency teams, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement agencies who have been on the scene since the early hours. Their message also includes a prayer for those responsible for investigating what happened.
Rigor and transparency in research
FEREDE's reference to a second serious train tragedy in less than a year alludes to the Adamuz accident, which occurred on January 18 in Córdoba, where 46 people died, as reported by Actualidad Evangélica. Both accidents took place on the Madrid-Andalusia rail line. In light of this new accident, the federation called for a thorough and transparent investigation, the conclusions of which would allow for the adoption of measures to prevent a tragedy of this nature from happening again.
The statement does not assign blame or raise technical hypotheses about the crash. Its request focuses on clarifying the facts, prevention, and supporting those affected.
The text concludes with a prayer that the victims and their families may find comfort, strength, and hope in the love of Jesus Christ in the midst of adversity.
The Evangelical Church of Valls, in Tarragona, also released a message in Catalan entitled "Urgent reason for prayer", inviting people to unite for the victims of the Toledo train accident.
The community remembers the families mourning irreparable losses, the injured, and those still awaiting news of their loved ones. Faced with such suffering, it acknowledges that there are no easy answers or words that can offer comfort.
Their appeal calls for prayer to the "God of all consolation" to sustain those who suffer, strengthen the professionals who fight to save lives, and accompany each family in these difficult times.
Both messages emphasize prayer and closeness to those affected. FEREDE adds a specific invitation to churches to translate this solidarity into availability and support during the coming days.
