Spain train driver jailed 2.5 years over deadly 2013 crash

Madrid: A Spanish court on Friday sentenced a train driver and ex safety director to 2.5 years in prison over a 2013 crash that was the nation s deadl...

Madrid: A Spanish court on Friday sentenced a train driver and ex-safety director to 2.5 years in prison over a 2013 crash that was the nation's deadliest rail disaster in nearly eight decades.

The train was travelling more than twice the speed limit when it derailed on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela, killing dozens of people.

"The two defendants breached the duty of care imposed on them by their duties," the court said in a statement.

Prosecutors had sought four-year prison sentences for the driver, Francisco Garzon, and Andres Cortabitarte, former safety director at state rail operator ADIF.

A probe of the July 24, 2013 derailment showed the train was travelling at 179 kilometres (111 miles) per hour, twice the speed limit for that stretch of track.