Renfe and Iryo have begun to manage financial assistance and advances for the victims of the Urda train accident, in Toledo, and their families. The two companies are working with their insurers after the collision between an AVE and an Iryo train that has left, for the moment, 69 people dead and numerous injured.
Iryo has announced that it will pay an advance of 35,000 euros for each deceased passenger on its train to those entitled to receive it. It has also made available to the injured proportional advances to the damages suffered to meet their immediate economic needs.
The amount announced by the operator exceeds the minimum set by European regulations in case of death. The regulation establishes an advance of at least 21,000 euros per deceased passenger, which must be paid without delay and, at most, within 15 days following the identification of the person entitled to compensation.
The procedures are launched while numerous families are still awaiting news about their loved ones. The latest balance from the Integrated Data Center maintains the number of fatalities at 69 and, according to the update communicated this Friday afternoon, twelve had been identified.
The collision occurred on Wednesday on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line, when a Renfe AVE hit an Iryo train from behind that was stopped on the track. Technical and judicial investigations remain open to clarify the circumstances of the accident and possible responsibilities.
What advances will victims and their families receive?
European regulations provide that railway companies advance an amount to meet immediate economic needs when a passenger dies or is injured. In case of injuries, the amount must be proportional to the damages suffered, so a single figure has not been established for all affected parties.
Iryo has explained that the advance for family members entitled to receive it will be 35,000 euros for each deceased passenger, an amount that can be requested from the company. The implementation of the measure does not mean that all payments have already been made, as their processing depends on applications and the identification of beneficiaries.
The operator has enabled the address buzonafectados6076@iryo.eu to handle financial assistance procedures. It also maintains the toll-free number 900 001 403 for victims and family members.
The insurer Intact Insurance, which provides liability coverage to Iryo, has indicated that it maintains close communication with the company. The direct relationship with affected individuals and the management of these requests falls to the railway operator.
For its part, QBE is among Renfe and Adif's insurers and also participates in a portion of Iryo's coverage. The entity has assured that it will collaborate with authorities and provide appropriate support to those affected and their families during the process.
These payments are advances, not the final compensation. European regulations establish that their payment does not imply recognition of responsibility for the accident and that the advanced amounts may be deducted from the sums that subsequently correspond according to that regulation. Their reimbursement is only foreseen in the cases contemplated by the regulation itself.
Insurance and assistance for those affected
In addition to advances, travelers have the protection of the Mandatory Passenger Insurance, which covers bodily injuries suffered in railway accidents under the conditions established by its regulations and the corresponding policy. This coverage must be distinguished from civil liability insurance.
In the case of Renfe, the mandatory accident insurance for its passengers is contracted with Everest Insurance, while its civil liability insurance is underwritten with QBE. The company explains that the indemnities from mandatory insurance are independent and compatible with those from civil liability and with other insurance that the traveler might have.
To process the benefits of Renfe's mandatory insurance, those affected can consult the information and the accident notification form on the company's passenger insurance page. Renfe also maintains the victim and family assistance phone number 900 10 10 20.
Iryo has the phone number 900 001 403 and a specific form to manage the benefits of its mandatory insurance. The company has also announced the refund of the ticket amount for affected travelers and assistance for alternative transport, as well as coverage for certain justified expenses for transfer, accommodation, and subsistence.
The two operators activated their victim and family care devices after the collision. Renfe has indicated that its plan includes transfers, accommodation, first aid, and psychological care, while emergency teams and forensic services continue working in Toledo.
