The family of a devout Christian grandmother from Huelva say they believe she has died following Sunday’s devastating train derailment near Adamuz in southern Spain, as the country continues to come to terms with one of its worst rail disasters in decades.
Natividad “Nati” de la Torre, 79, was travelling home from Madrid with one of her sons and three grandchildren when the high-speed Alvia train left the tracks in Córdoba province. Although her body has not yet been recovered, the Guardia Civil has confirmed that all survivors have now been identified, leading the family to accept that she is among the victims.
The train derailed at speed, with the first carriage, where Nati and her family were sitting, rolling for more than two kilometres and being reduced to twisted metal.
“This afternoon at 7:30pm they confirmed that everyone had been identified and that all that remained were the bodies from carriage one,” her son Fidel told national broadcaster TVE. “They are certain there are no survivors.”
All three children survived the crash. Nati’s son, Luis Carlos, was seriously injured but is now stable after being taken off a ventilator. Fidel said his brother has struggled to understand how he lived through the ordeal. “He asks how he can be alive after an hour and a half trapped among twisted metal, seeing dead people, and after saving my children by pushing them out through a window with his feet,” he said.
Known in Huelva for her strong Christian faith, Nati dedicated her life to her family and to sharing the Gospel through church groups and Christian teaching. Fidel said his brother wanted her story to be told. “He told me, ‘tell mum’s story, how devoted she was to her family and how she was its driving force’. God chose to take her this way, but we are certain she is in the best possible place.”
Former Huelva mayor and family friend Pedro Rodríguez said he received a message from Fidel confirming the family’s belief: “Pedro, my mother is with the love of her life, Jesus of Nazareth.”
As investigations continue into the cause of the Adamuz derailment, local Christian organisations and church communities have expressed condolences and called for prayer. One group described Nati’s life as “a constant testimony of love”, adding that her faith now offers hope and comfort to a grieving family and community.