Spain's Transport Minister Steps Down After Train Collision Kills 69

Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned on Tuesday, ending his tenure six days after a high-speed train collision near Urda killed at least 69 people. The decision was announced in Congress, where Puente also confirmed he would not run in the upcoming legislative election. His departure leaves the government facing a personnel change just 26 days before the general vote scheduled for November 29.

The accident occurred last Wednesday on a line south of Madrid. A state-owned Renfe train carrying 397 passengers struck the rear of a stationary private Iryo train that held 147 passengers. The Iryo train was stopped approximately 25 kilometers ahead of the point of impact. Authorities attribute the collision to a computer failure in the automatic signalling system, which forced trains to halt on that stretch of track.

Puente argued that his role was no longer viable after two severe incidents on the same line in less than a year. A previous crash in January claimed 46 lives. He stated that a transport minister could not remain in office after such events. His resignation comes after a week of intense questioning from opposition lawmakers and pressure from government allies. He kept his decision private until the end of a congressional session on Tuesday evening, where he outlined new safety measures.

Leaked audio recordings released by Spanish media have drawn scrutiny to the minutes before the impact. The recordings show dialogue between train drivers and the Madrid control center. One clip features a control operator instructing the Renfe driver to continue under Lateral Signalling Block at normal speed. This is a backup system used when automatic systems fail. The driver questioned the speed limit, but the controller confirmed normal operation was permitted.

Another recording captures the Iryo driver reporting that communication with the train control system was lost. The driver stated the train was stationary in front of the entry signal at Urda. Despite these reports, the control center instructed the driver to resume the journey. A later recording indicates the controller knew the Iryo train was still stopped as the Renfe train approached. Puente described the decision to allow trains to move without speed restrictions as inexplicable.

The incident has intensified debate over the reliability of Spain’s rail infrastructure. The investigation continues to examine the protocols used by control centers during system failures. The leaked audio suggests that the Renfe train was given clearance to proceed even though the Iryo train remained on the track. This has increased scrutiny on the decisions made by operators in the final moments before the collision.