The Government of Spain approves the Royal Decree-law providing financial assistance to those affected by the accident in Urda (Toledo)

The Council of Ministers has approved a Royal Decree-law setting out urgent measures to support the victims of the train accident in Urda (Toledo), which allocates 30 million euros to speed up the payment of compensation to those affected and thus avoid the delays inherent in standard insurance procedures.

The measure was presented by the Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, at the press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting, and is set out in a Royal Decree-law aimed at providing immediate assistance to victims and advancing part of the compensation payable under civil liability insurance. This will complement the mechanisms already in place within the current legal framework, which recognises the right of victims of rail accidents and their families to comprehensive support.

This financial assistance is in addition to the schemes, insurance policies and cover provided for by law for victims of rail accidents and is therefore compatible with compulsory civil liability compensation. Furthermore, it will be paid in full as it is exempt from tax.

The amount allocated by the Government totals 30 million euros: 15 million for emergency aid and a further 15 million in the form of advance payments. The amounts to be received have been set out as follows:

• In the event of a death, a direct payment of just over 72,121 euros for each deceased person and the same amount as an advance on the insurance payout.
• In cases of personal injury, compensation is structured according to levels of severity, with amounts ranging from just over 2,404 euros for minor cases to more than 84,141 euros for the most serious injuries. The figures are the same for the insurance advance payment.

Temporary incapacity for work

Workers affected by the accident are entitled to special Social Security protection. For the purpose of calculating financial benefits, any period of leave due to temporary incapacity resulting from the accident shall - as an exceptional measure - be classified as a work-related accident. This allows for the benefit to be paid from the very first day of leave (rather than from the fourth day) and at a higher rate than that applicable to leave resulting from common contingencies (75 per cent of the assessment base, rather than 60 per cent).

Furthermore, permanent disability pensions, death and survivors' pensions, and the financial benefit for partial permanent disability arising from the accident shall, for the purposes of calculating their amount, be treated as benefits arising from an accident at work, provided that this is more favourable to the beneficiaries.

Persons covered by the State Civil Service Pension Scheme who, as a result of the accident, are entitled to a retirement pension on grounds of permanent disability, a widow's pension, an orphan's pension or a pension for their parents, may receive a higher pension. The scheme for extraordinary pensions shall apply, provided that it is more advantageous for the beneficiary.

This protection will be applied automatically, without the need to submit an application, and will have retroactive effect, even where the benefit or pension has already ceased or been granted.

Comprehensive support centres

Furthermore, the Government is setting up Comprehensive Support Centres for the victims of the Urda rail accident. These offices are being established through the Government's regional and provincial-level offices.

The Comprehensive Service Centres, together with the other Citizen Service Centres in the Government's regional and provincial-level offices, will help those affected to apply for and process grants and advance payments.

Furthermore, if anyone affected by the accident is unable to travel to an office, they will be attended to at their own home, anywhere in the country, by staff from the Government S provincial-level offices, thanks to the 'La Administración cerca de ti' service run by the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory.

Price caps

Furthermore, the Royal Decree-law also sets out price caps for transport alternatives to the train whilst the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line remains closed, as well as for accommodation services linked to the journeys affected.

The aim is to prevent the consequences of the accident from being exacerbated by price rises that hinder access to essential goods and services, by introducing a scheme to temporarily cap maximum prices applicable whilst an emergency situation persists that significantly alters the conditions of supply and demand in a specific market, in order to safeguard fairness, transparency and public confidence in the market.

This restriction involves setting the maximum price at the level applicable during a previous reference period, subject to an objective and verifiable criterion, thereby preventing price increases that could seriously harm consumers and service users at a time of particular vulnerability.

Non official translation