Montserrat suspends weekend events during the official mourning period

Montserrat’s town council has suspended the events planned for this weekend as a mark of mourning for the train accident that occurred on Wednesday in Urda (Toledo). The music listening workshop and the storytelling session «Un cabàs de Monstres Valencians», scheduled for Friday 30, and the family activity «Per Tots Sants Monstres Valencians» on Saturday 31 have been cancelled, according to the notice issued by the council.

The suspension responds to the three days of official mourning decreed by the Spanish government, which run from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October «in condolence with the families and relatives of those who died». During that period the national flag will fly at half-mast outside all public buildings.

The crash occurred on the high-speed network and has caused dozens of people killed and injured, some of whom remain in hospital. The investigation into the causes falls to the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF), attached to the Ministry of Transport, and to the judicial authorities. Spain’s prime minister has stressed that it is the second high-speed tragedy in a single year.

The council’s notice also called on all residents to join a minute’s silence on Thursday 29 October at midday outside the town hall, and closed with thanks for residents’ understanding.

With this decision the town joins the mourning for a tragedy that has brought flags to half-mast on public buildings across the country and that leaves Montserrat without any activity over the All Saints weekend.

Sources: Ajuntament de Montserrat and La Moncloa (announcement of the official mourning).