Spanish Transport Minister Resigns After Deadly Train Crash
Óscar Puente steps down following a collision that killed 69 people, marking the second fatal incident on the Madrid-Seville line this year.
Carla Rooney
Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, resigned on Tuesday following a deadly train crash.
The Madrid-Seville line's security system failed. This allowed central controllers to clear a train despite a stationary one ahead. This breakdown initiated the catastrophe.
Spain operates the world's second-largest high-speed rail network, trailing only China. Critics contend that maintenance investment has not kept pace with the surge in passenger numbers since the 2021 liberalisation of Spain’s rail network.
A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot continue in his post after two accidents in less than a year. It’s a question of political dignity, coherence and empathy with the victims.
The train drivers’ union Semaf denounces worsening working conditions and the use of “degraded systems.” The network had not experienced a deadly crash in over three decades before this year.
Among the victims of the recent crash was Dr. Marta Shahbazi, a British scientist. The government announced additional safety measures for the rail network, including improvements to control centres and the rollout of the European Rail Traffic Management System.