THE SPANISH driver whose train crashed on the approach to Santiago last week has been questioned in private by a judge for almost two hours, and is now formally suspected of causing the accident.
A 79th person has died after last Wednesday's crash, in which a train was driven around a curve at more than twice the permitted line speed of 80km/h. The eight coach train left the rails completely and the wrecked coaches came to rest scattered along the line.
It is understood that 70 people injured in the accident are still in hospital, and 22 of them are reported to be in a 'critical' condition.
The driver, who has been named as Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, 52, has reportedly admitted that he was 'careless', and is now facing 79 counts of 'reckless homicide'. He has not yet been charged and is currently on bail, but his passport and train driver's licence have both been withdrawn.
He must appear before the court once a week and will not be allowed to leave the country without permission.
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who comes from Santiago, declared three days of national mourning. He and members of the royal family are due to attend a funeral mass in Santiago de Compostela, which is a Catholic pilgrimage site.
A religious feast honouring Spanish patron saint St James of Compostela was cancelled after the crash, and flowers and candles have been left at the city's cathedral.