Madrid firefighters at the epicenter of the Urda tragedy: "It's the hardest thing I've ever lived through; keeping it to yourself is dangerous"

Arsenio, a firefighter with 20 years of experience, reflects on the emotional toll of responding to the recent train tragedy in Urda. He emphasizes the importance of mental preparation and communication among rescue teams. Over 200 municipal workers, including firefighters and psychologists, were deployed to assist victims and families. The magnitude of the disaster has left many responders grappling with the aftermath, highlighting the need for psychological support. Arsenio acknowledges the challenges faced by both new and veteran firefighters, stressing the significance of teamwork and coordination in such critical situations. The tragedy has resulted in at least 68 confirmed fatalities, marking one of the most severe incidents in his career.