A retired farmer still mourning his mother
Maria Mercedes Castro Blanco, 58, longtime resident of Carmoega in the Agolada parish, was planning to board a bus in Lalín to spend Christmas with relatives. A gentle, private person who preferred not to drive, she was preparing for a trip to Pontevedra when tragedy struck. Her daughter Iria Méndez Castro, a dental hygienist, lives in the city of Lérez with her partner and two grandchildren. The family received the news with shock as the search for Mercedes unfolded late into the night, and descendants learned of the accident online via local reports. The funeral will be held at Carmoega church later that day, a somber moment for a community that knew her as a steady presence in the neighborhood.
In the aftermath, relatives described Mercedes as a devoted mother and grandmother whose kindness left a quiet imprint on those who knew her. The investigation into her death was influenced by official communications and local inquiries, and the family has coordinated with municipal authorities to arrange the burial and vacation plans affected by the incident. The sense of loss is compounded by the fact that she had recently endured the passing of a 96-year-old relative, underscoring the fragile nature of life and the suddenness of the event. (Source: local authorities, community statements)
A hard worker who grew up in a tavern
Maria Cruz Castro Eiras enjoyed a long and varied career, retiring after years of hands-on work in Madrid, Marín, and Lalín. She settled in Lalín with her son Jaime, who was among the victims of the same tragedy. The 73-year-old native of Brántega in Agolada grew up in the famous Casa Jaime tavern, a home base for her family. Later, she found purpose in a pastry shop in Lalín and remained close to the community, including the family of former councilor Xosé Cuiña Crespo. Her son Rafael Cuiña Aparicio, a current councilor in Lalín, spoke of the pain and shared memories of the last gathering they had that weekend. Friends recalled the warmth and humor she brought to every gathering, including the informal vermouth moments that connected generations.
A friend remembered: “Who would have guessed that would be our last toast together? We’ll miss you so much. You and Jaime were inseparable.” The community is still processing the loss of a woman who built a life around family, work, and local hospitality.
Depends on his mother until the last moment
Jamie Val Castro was another life lost in the Pedre incident. He accompanied his mother to Pontevedra for the holidays and was the youngest of three siblings. The family had moved to Lalín when he was very young, but he stayed connected with friends and relatives in Brántega (Agolada) throughout his life. Those who knew him describe a devoted son who drew strength from his mother, and who faced difficulties in his youth with resilience and eventual rehabilitation. His relatives emphasized the importance of family support and the enduring bonds that defined his life.
Neighbors and relatives also noted the close ties Jamie maintained with his grandparents and his roots in Brántega, where he spent time visiting friends and family. In the days that followed, the community reflected on his quiet kindness and the sense that his life was deeply interwoven with the people who cared for him most. (Source: family statements and local coverage)
High school teacher and mother of two
Guadalupe Diaz Gonzalez, known to many as Guada, was a beloved language and literature teacher who spent significant time at IES Laxeiro de Lalín and IES Ramón Mª Aller Ulloa. Born in Lugo and raised in Lalín with her two children, she routinely took the Lalín bus to stay close to students and colleagues. Her warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on students and staff alike, who described her as a bright, caring mentor who inspired a love of learning.
Her colleagues mourned her absence early yesterday as the news spread through the school community. Guada’s students remember her as someone who listened, encouraged, and helped them see their potential. Her former classes organized tributes, and the education community prepared a bus for staff members traveling to ceremonies in Pontevedra. (Source: school community statements)
A Peruvian caretaker to be expropriated
Edith Luz Luya Quispe, a 49-year-old Peruvian living in Arcade, Soutomaior, cared for an elderly person in Cerdedo-Cotobade. She was the last person to board the bus that crashed near the Lérez river, and her death has sent a wave of sorrow across local and Peruvian communities in Galicia. Edith Luz had lived in Spain for several years and had plans to seek Spanish citizenship soon. With no close family ties in Galicia, friends represented her in official proceedings, and her body was handled through channels coordinated by the Peruvian Embassy and consular staff in Barcelona. Condolences poured in from Soutomaior and the broader Peruvian community as the tragedy was processed. (Source: local authorities and embassy statements)
A 21-year-old student with a future in boxing
Aeneas Valverde Ruibal was the youngest victim, a 21-year-old from a family known for its jewelry and watch businesses in Nigrán and the Val Miñor region. He had begun studies in hospitality and tourism in Lugo and returned home for Christmas Eve with his family. The Nigrán City Council declared three days of official mourning, and tributes poured in from friends, teammates, and the boxing community.
Described as a bright, kind, and ambitious young man, Aeneas trained with Flow Combat in Vigo and had earned recognition in boxing circles for his dedication and sportsmanship. His coach spoke of a future with great potential, noting his big heart and the way he always carried himself with humility and grace. He had recently started a neo-professional boxing journey, balancing sport with his studies and maintaining ties across Lugo and Vigo. (Source: local authorities and the boxing club)
The tragedy cast a long shadow over Nigrán and the surrounding area, with the council announcing official mourning and the boxing community sharing memories of a student who inspired peers with his optimism and perseverance. (Source: municipal statements)