The events that unfolded after the railway tragedy in Andalusia have become a wake-up call for the entire country. Spaniards are once again faced with the question: who will provide real support to those caught in the epicenter of disaster? After the collision of Alvia and Iryo trains, which claimed 45 lives, survivors and their families were forced to seek new ways of mutual assistance, without waiting for official explanations or support.
In the first hours after the accident, a small WhatsApp group appeared at the Alto Guadalquivir hospital in Andújar. Within a few days, it grew to 80 members—people directly affected by the tragedy and their loved ones. In the absence of clear instructions and support from the carrier, this chat became, for many, the only source of information and moral support.
Inside the group
The organization within the group is based on principles of equality: no one assumes the role of official spokesperson and decisions are made collectively. One of the first members, Mario Samper, does not consider himself a leader, but he is often the one to voice common concerns and questions. According to him, the main goal is to support one another with issues related to medical care, labor disputes, and day-to-day difficulties that arose after the accident.
The chat discusses a wide range of issues: how to get sick leave, what to do if lawyers have already started searching for relatives despite the ban on actively seeking clients after disasters, and why there are still no clear instructions from Renfe on how to deal with insurance companies. Many participants say they feel abandoned and don’t know where to turn for help.
Chaos after the accident
Mario Samper recalls the night of the tragedy: he was riding in the fourth car of the Alvia train en route from Madrid to Huelva. At some point, he was awakened by a strange noise, then the lights went out, and the train began shaking more and more violently. A sudden stop, suitcases flying through the cabin, thick smoke—this all sparked panic among the passengers. Many thought a fire had broken out and tried to get out of the car as quickly as possible.
Samper tried to calm people, shouting to direct them toward the exit. He isn’t sure if he saw the conductor—rumored to have suffered a head injury—but he clearly remembers many passengers with bloodied faces. Those who escaped with minor injuries, including Mario himself, were taken to the Andújar hospital. There they received first aid, but by midnight everyone had been discharged, and Renfe’s helpline wasn’t answering any calls.
Seeking support
Left without communication with the carrier, the victims decided to create their own channel to share information. This led to the creation of a WhatsApp chat, which quickly became an informal coordination center. Here, participants discuss not only legal and medical issues but also share advice on coping with psychological stress after what they’ve been through.
For now, group members are not pursuing any legal action, but many are convinced that sooner or later they’ll have to seek justice in court. At the moment, the main thing is not to be left alone and not to get lost in the stream of conflicting information. In a situation where official bodies are slow to take responsibility, such initiatives become a lifeline for those affected.
