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Key insights
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High-speed rail as a national symbol: The crash is framed as damaging to the reputation of the AVE network, which is portrayed as a crown jewel of contemporary Spain.
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Scale of casualties: Officials reported at least 40 deaths and dozens of injuries as of Monday night.
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Public investment and EU support: The AVE network’s growth is attributed to sustained government spending and European Union development aid.
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What happened
A deadly train collision in Adamuz in southern Spain on Sunday left at least 40 people dead and dozens injured, officials said as of Monday night. The incident is described as the first major blight on Spain’s leading high-speed rail service, the AVE, which has been a prominent symbol of modern Spain. notes that Spain’s high-speed rail network expanded rapidly after the inauguration of its first AVE line, supported by Spanish tax revenues and European Union development aid, and grew to rival and surpass early high-speed rail pioneers such as Japan and France.