A photo with Ayuso to remember those who died in Adamuz

MadridFour days after the train accident that killed 45 people in Adamuz, Isabel Díaz Ayuso asked the Archdiocese of Madrid to organize a mass at the Almudena Cathedral—which also hosted the mass for the victims of the DANA storm in the Valencian Community—in memory of the victims. And the preparations, surrounded by her supporters, were perfectly tailored for her. At eleven minutes to seven in the evening, the President of the Community of Madrid arrived walking through the Plaza del Armería, accompanied by the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán, and the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida. She was in the center. Although, according to protocol, the preeminence should have been given to the President of the Senate, the fourth highest authority in the State. After ascending the stairs, just below the main entrance, a man approached Ayuso, shook her hand, and asked for a photo. First one selfieBut it ends up being a woman from the Madrid president's team who does it. She bids farewell to the sudden, uninvited guest with a half-smile, shy because of the circumstances, but easily recognizable, and with a wink.

Once inside the cathedral, the silence that resonates within the high walls contrasts sharply with the outbursts and political noise that, 750 meters away, has accompanied the entire day. appearance of Minister Óscar Puente in the SenateAyuso and her entourage enter slowly down the central aisle. They are the main focus. The Madrid president, still in the middle, greets those on either side. They reach the front row and stand for ten minutes until the Mass begins. Just before it starts, a woman greets her. They hold hands for a few seconds. She lived in the Ópera neighborhood with one of the victims of the Adamuz tragedy and wanted to thank her for "fighting for the common good." In a conversation with ARA, she complains about the "frivolity" and "moral degradation" of the political class.

The Bishop of Madrid, José Cobo, uses his homily to pay tribute to the victims and emphasize the role of the Church: "Today we don't come to offer quick answers, but to share the burden of grief. We mustn't leave when suffering is uncomfortable," he proclaimed. A veiled criticism of the political class? He also acknowledges that the accident has made people feel "weak" because it reminds them that "we are fragile." A feeling shared among those present. "It was the mode of transport we trusted most," Yolanda laments to ARA, admitting that she's now more afraid of taking the train. "They'll have to convince us very well for us to trust it again," adds María José.

"Only the truth will help us heal the wound"

A short while earlier, Huelva hosted a funeral mass presided over by the King and Queen of Spain. It was held at the Carolina Marín Sports Palace with over 4,000 people in attendance, including 300 relatives of the victims of the tragedy. Survivors of the accident were also present, such as a man with a sling and bandaged head seated in the front row. From the Spanish government, María Jesús Montero, Luis Planas, and Ángel Víctor Torres were present, along with Alberto Núñez Feijóo. However, neither Pedro Sánchez nor Óscar Puente were in attendance. According to the leader of the People's Party (PP), the Spanish Prime Minister's absence stemmed from a "problem of conscience" regarding the "negligent" maintenance of the railway lines. During the service, Liliana Sáenz, daughter of one of the victims, made a plea: "We will fight to uncover the truth; only the truth will help us heal this wound. We will fight to ensure there is no more trains."