Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, has said he will not resign despite mounting demands for his departure after two high-speed trains collided earlier in the week in a crash that killed at least 69 people.
The collision, which occurred earlier this week, has prompted national shock and grief. Relatives of the victims and parts of the public have sought explanations for how such a catastrophic accident could occur on one of the country's major rail lines.
Calls for accountability have focused on political and operational leadership of the rail network. Puente's decision to remain in office comes as pressure grows on the government to provide a clear account of the circumstances that led to the crash and to set out immediate measures to protect passengers and restore public confidence.
Officials have said that determining the cause of the collision will be a priority. The coming days are likely to centre on investigations, the release of further information about the incident, and how authorities respond to the humanitarian and safety challenges raised by the disaster.