Madrid, Oct 5 (AP) A trial opened on Wednesday over a 2013 train accident in Spain that killed 80 passengers and injured 145.

Prosecutors are seeking four-year prison sentences for the train driver and for a former security director at rail infrastructure company ADIF.

Also Read | The Yemi Lab: South Korea Builds 1,100 Meters Underground Physics Laboratory in Mount Yemi To Explore Universe.

On July 24, 2013, a long-distance train derailed and crashed against a concrete wall near the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela.

The investigation showed the train was travelling at 179 kph (111mph) on a stretch with an 80 kph (50mph) speed limit. It was also revealed that the driver was answering a phone call from the conductor moments before the accident.

Also Read | Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022: Nobel Panel to Announce Winner at Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

A victims association said that it has taken too long to hold the trial.

“Some of the victims and relatives have died over the years. For them there will never be justice and unfortunately nothing can be done", they said in a statement reported by Spain's state news agency EFE.

The victims are claiming damages of 58.6 million euros (USD 57 million)

The trial is expected to last several months, with 669 witnesses to be heard. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)