Authorities continue to search for two Australians unaccounted for following a deadly train collision near Madrid, Spain, which has left at least 69 people dead. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed on Sunday that it had no new information on the status of the missing individuals, five days after the crash involving two high-speed trains south of the capital.

Consular support was extended to the families of the missing Australians on Friday, although it remains unclear whether they were officially recorded as passengers on either train. A DFAT spokeswoman expressed condolences to those affected and stated that Australian officials remain in contact with Spanish authorities to verify the welfare of the nationals involved. Due to privacy concerns, the department declined to disclose further details regarding the missing persons, including their identities or demographics.

Spanish officials have reported that among the 540 passengers aboard the two trains, 51 were foreign nationals from 23 different countries. Of these, 18 have been confirmed unharmed, two have died, nine are injured, and the remaining 22 are unaccounted for or of uncertain status. Efforts continue to clarify the situation of these individuals as rescue teams meticulously search through the accident site.

The collision has prompted concerns over the increasing fatality count, with over 100 people receiving medical treatment and 15 in critical condition. This tragedy marks the deadliest rail accident in Spain since 2013 and follows an earlier high-speed derailment in the country’s south in January, which resulted in 46 deaths.

Spain observed three days of national mourning from Thursday to Saturday in response to the incident. The government is currently under scrutiny regarding its management of the railway infrastructure, a matter that has gained prominence ahead of the upcoming general election scheduled for later this month.