BBC Breakfast host gives heartbreaking update minutes into show after tragedy

BBC Breakfast host Jon Kay shared an update on the devastating train crash moments into today’s show.

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Jon Kay and Sally Nugent hosted BBC Breakfast today (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast host Jon Kay delivered a sombre update following a devastating train collision in Spain.

At least 40 people have lost their lives and dozens more have sustained injuries after two high-speed trains collided in the south of the country.

The incident, which occurred near Cordoba, has been described as Spain’s most catastrophic rail disaster in more than a decade.

Addressing the tragedy during this morning’s early headlines on BBC Breakfast, Jon reported: “Three days of national mourning have begun in Spain after a train crash near the city of Cordoba killed at least 40 people.

Jon Kay shared devastating news on BBC Breakfast(Image: BBC)

He then turned to correspondent Guy Hedgecoe, who was near the scene, to discuss potential causes behind the collision.

Guy said: “There has been a lot of discussion about what may have caused this accident given that it took place on a straight stretch of track, it wasn’t on a bend or curve where the train derailed.

“Investigators are believed to be looking very closely at the train itself that derailed but also at the stretch of track where this took place to see if there could be a clue there.”

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Jon spoke to reporter Guy Hedgecoe(Image: BBC)

He added: “Today, King Felipe and Queen Letizia are due to visit the area where the crash took place and meet with local people and possibly with relatives of some of those who lost their lives.

“In the meantime, rescue workers are still sifting through the wreckage, trying to recover more bodies from that wreckage.

“We have been told by the authorities that they do believe that the death toll from this accident is likely to increase further.”

The crash occurred around 7.45pm local time on Sunday, around one hour after one of the trains departed Malaga for Madrid.

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At least 40 people have died after the deadly crash(Image: Getty)

It then derailed and crossed over to the opposite track, colliding with an oncoming train travelling from south Madrid to Huelva, which was forced into an embankment running alongside the track.

Spain’s Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the majority of those who have lost their lives were in the front carriages of the Huelva-bound train.

He described the crash as “extremely strange” and said railway experts are “extremely baffled” by the accident.

It is believed there were around 400 passengers and staff on the two trains, and it is unclear if people could be trapped inside the carriages.

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Spain has entered a three-day period of mourning(Image: Getty)

One passenger onboard the Madrid-bound train told the BBC the impact felt like an “earthquake”, and caused windows to shatter and people to be thrown to the floor.

“I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed,” journalist Salvador Jimenez also told Canal Sur.

“There were people screaming, calling for doctors,” he added.