Spain is in mourning over the death of 80 people killed in a high-speed train crash on Wednesday.

Spain has declared three days of national mourning over the tragic train accident which claimed up to 80 people near Santiago de Compostela station at 08:41 p.m. local time (18:41 GMT) on Wednesday. The accident is said to be one of its worst ever rail disasters. At least 130 people were taken to hospital after the accident, and 95 are still being treated, health officials say.

Reports say the tragedy involved many nationalities including Americans and British and at least one American was confirmed dead. The train is said to have been carrying some pilgrims who were to attend the st. James memorial.

Footage has been released showing the moment the train derailed as it entered a bend in northwestern Spain on Wednesday. The train was carrying 218 passengers when the tragedy occurred. More than 90 passengers remain in hospital, including at least 30 in critical condition.

The Spanish government is looking at all possible causes of the accident. However, in a radio broadcast, the Secretary of State for Transport, Rafael Catala, has said “early indications suggested the train had been going too fast”.

The train's black box has so far been recovered and is now with the judge in charge of the investigation.

Driver quizzed

Meanwhile the train driver (Francisco Jose Garzon Amo), who sustained minor injuries, has been interrogated and told police the train was too fast when it entered the bend too fast. Francisco Jose Garzon Amo is currently admitted with minor injuries under the watchful eye of the guard in hospital.

Earlier reports from eye witnesses indicated that the train was travelling at more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash.

The spokes person for the railway said “The driver has worked for the company for the last 30 years, a spokesman for the railway”.  In 2000, the driver started working as a train driver assistant, and in 2003 began working as a train driver, a job the driver has held since.