Spanish train crash driver provisionally charged with 'multiple cases of reckless homicide'

The driver of a speeding train that derailed in Spain killing 78 people has been provisionally charged with multiple cases of reckless homicide.

A court statement said Francisco Jose Garzon Amo had been released, but was asked to surrender his passport.

According to the BBC, the court also asked Garzon to appear before a court once a week and is not allowed to leave Spain without permission.

Reports say the train was travelling at more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash.

Garzon, 52, who received injuries, was released from hospital on Saturday and was immediately taken to the central police station in Santiago.

On Sunday, an eyewitness to the disaster said he had overheard the driver admitting minutes after the crash that he had been going too fast.

According to the report, Evaristo Iglesias, a resident of Santiago de Compostela, said he heard the driver saying he tried to slow down but it was too late.

Iglesias said the driver, who was shocked was repeatedly saying he wanted to die rather than see the damage at the scene, the report added.