Train crash in Galicia, Spain. Image from RT video
At least 77 people have died with many more injured after a train derailed in the Galicia region of Spain.
The Spanish rail firm Renfe said that all eight carriages of the train derailed whilst going round a bend in the track around 3-4km (2-2.5 miles) from Santiago de Compostela station at 20:41 local time (18:41 GMT).
Pictures showing the extent of the wreckage and the scale of the emergency service response have been shared across social media
Many on the train were believed to be travelling to the region to celebrate the annual festival inhonour of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, an occasion where Christian pilgrims flock to the city from around the world. The event has now been cancelled, with local authorities talk of a population in shock.
Government officials have said that they believe the derailment to have been an accident, but that they would make no official statement until a full investigation had been conducted.
This is the first rail crash in Spain since 1972, with the Spanish government investing heavily in its rail infrastructure in recent years.
Rescue workers have recovered 73 bodies from the wreckage so far, with a further four people dying from their injuries in hospital.
Residents of nearby towns and cities reportedly flocked to local donation centres and hospitals to donate blood in response to an appeal broadcast on Spanish media. Pictures show queues stretching around the block of people offering to donate their blood