Audio reveals exchanges between control centre and drivers before deadly Spain train crash

Iryo said its train, which had 147 passengers on board, was "struck from behind" by another train, by Renfe train which was carrying 397 passengers.

Spain's transport minister Óscar Puente said on Wednesday that the decision to instruct the trains to move again, without any speed restrictions, was "inexplicable".

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the "whole of Spain is grieving", adding that "lives have been shattered, families have been torn apart, the pain is immense".

Emergency crews worked through the night under powerful floodlights to cut open metal carriages in the search for victims, with many of those killed in the crash still to be identified.