Spanish rail disaster: Prime Minister's condolence note 'copied and pasted'

The Spanish government has been criticised for “cutting and pasting” a message of condolence to the families of victims of the train crash in Garcia that has left at least 80 dead.

The message, posted online and attributed to the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, appeared to have been copied from an earlier note of condolence to victims of an earthquake in China.

“I want to convey my deepest condolences for the loss of life and material damage brought by the earthquake that took place this morning in Gansu,” read the message, referring to the town where the earthquake took place.

Also in the note, Mr Rajoy said he is dismayed “as a Spaniard and a Galician” at the news of the derailment near Santiago de Compostela, the Prime Minister’s home town.