Spanish society was shaken by the events that unfolded at the farewell ceremony in Huelva. For many, this day became not only a moment of mourning but also a starting point in the fight for justice. The families of the 45 victims of the Adamuz train disaster openly declared their intention to seek the truth and not let the tragedy be forgotten. Their words sounded like a challenge—not only to the authorities but to the entire society that witnessed one of the most painful losses in recent years.
The spotlight was on Liliana Sáenz, daughter of one of the victims, who took on the role of spokesperson for all affected families. Her speech became the culmination of a ceremony filled with pain, gratitude, and demands for change. Tears, a trembling voice, the support of her brother and relatives—the atmosphere in the hall was tense to the limit.
A voice of sorrow
Liliana came forward to express not only her family’s feelings but also those of everyone who lost loved ones in the disaster. She emphasized that this was the only acceptable form of farewell they could accept. Her words carried clear criticism toward officials: “The only leadership we want to see by our side is that of God.” This phrase became a symbol of distrust toward secular authorities, who, according to many, failed to handle the situation properly.
A special place in her speech was reserved for gratitude to the residents of Adamus, who, without hesitation, rushed to help amid the chaos of the mangled carriages. Liliana noted that the townspeople would remain forever in the hearts of the families, and that their selflessness would not be forgotten. She also thanked the rescue services, medical staff, Red Cross workers, and everyone who stepped in despite limited resources and information.
The demand for truth
However, gratitude quickly turned into a demand—to uncover the whole truth about what happened. Liliana stated openly, “We are 45 families who will fight for the truth, because only the truth will help us heal our wounds.” She emphasized that the victims were not just train passengers, but people with dreams, hopes, and plans for the future. Their loss is not just a personal tragedy, but a blow to all of society, which, she said, has long been divided and does not notice it.
Her speech conveyed irony toward those who attended the ceremony ‘according to schedule,’ subtly referencing the formal approach of some officials. Liliana did not hide her disappointment at how slowly information became available in the first hours after the disaster. She stressed: “It is better to know the truth than to speculate.”
The role of the church and society
The ceremony was led by the Bishop of Huelva, Santiago Gómez Sierra, who addressed those present with a call to not forget the victims and to support them not just today, but also when public attention fades. He reminded everyone of the need for respect and compassion, as well as the importance of restoring justice. His speech contained no political overtones, but carried a clear message: “All those responsible face a long and difficult task in addressing the aftermath of this tragedy.”
The bishop particularly emphasized that only by establishing the truth and conducting a fair investigation can similar disasters be prevented in the future. He urged everyone to remember the victims and do everything possible so that their deaths are not in vain.
Memory and hope
At the end of the ceremony, Liliana once again reminded everyone that those who perished are not just numbers in statistics. They were parents, children, grandchildren—people who were part of society and dreamed of a better future. She stressed that their lives were filled with hopes, strengths, and flaws like everyone else. Now, they have become a symbol of how fragile human life can be and how crucial it is to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Liliana’s words, echoed by other relatives, sounded like a vow: they will not stop until the full truth of what happened is revealed. Their fight is just beginning, and now the whole country is watching.
Earlier, we reported how, in the first hours after the Adamuz disaster, emergency services were slow to grasp the scale of the tragedy. In that report Train disaster in Adamuz claims dozens of lives in-depth analysis of the delays in aid and questions about the actions of those responsible.
