A high-speed train crash near the Spanish town of Urda on Wednesday has upended the campaign for Spain's snap general election, The Guardian and the Associated Press report. At least 69 people died in the crash, The Guardian says. The AP said Thursday that the vote was four weeks away.

One train struck another from behind, the AP reports. In January, 46 people died in another high-speed crash. Each of this year's crashes involved a train from state-owned RENFE and one from the private IRYO, the AP says.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente blamed an "inexplicable" order from a central control center, the AP reports. He said the RENFE train was ordered to start moving again after a safety system failed, even though a stop signal was still active.

"It is not acceptable for a country like Spain to endure two high-speed train accidents in the same year," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, according to the AP.

Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo demanded a full investigation. "This is the moment to respect the dead, the injured and their families," he said. Far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal took a harsher tone, speaking of "rage" and "betrayal." Vox has urged the supreme court to investigate Puente, The Guardian reports. Puente says the rail system is "safe and reliable."

Sánchez called the election after right-wing parties voted down his housing reforms, The Guardian reports. Political scientist Pablo Simón said the government, in power since 2018, cannot blame its predecessor.

What we know: A second deadly high-speed crash this year has shaken Spain before its election.
What we don't: Who is responsible, and how the crash will affect the vote.