Hundreds of people in Madrid have lined up to donate blood following a tragic railway accident, as residents across the Spanish capital express shock and grief over the incident.
A BBC correspondent reported seeing more than 100 people waiting to donate blood at a collection vehicle in central Madrid.
The vehicle is usually parked on Gran Vía, one of the city’s main shopping streets, where only a small number of donors typically wait. The unusually long queue reflected the scale of the public response following the crash.
The accident has dominated conversations across Madrid, with people discussing the tragedy in cafés and sharing news and updates through social media.
A deep sense of shock and sadness has spread throughout the city as residents follow developments and seek information about what happened.
Due to the high number of people coming forward to donate blood, Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso urged others to consider donating later.
She asked potential donors to “wait until tomorrow or the coming days, when the need will be just as great,” emphasizing that blood donations would continue to be important beyond the immediate aftermath of the accident.
The response highlights the solidarity of Madrid residents, many of whom have stepped forward to help those affected by the railway tragedy.
