A collision between two high-speed trains in central Spain on Wednesday killed 69 people, marking the country's second major rail disaster this year and raising serious concerns about the safety of its extensive rail network. The crash, which occurred just four weeks before a national election, has prompted an investigation and calls for improved safety measures.
The incident involved one train striking another from behind near the town of Urda. Search teams continued to look for victims and identified remains, while cranes worked to clear the wreckage that had been strewn down a gravel slope. Regional authorities confirmed the death toll and stated that 50 people remained hospitalized.
Spain's government has declared three days of mourning, beginning Thursday. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the crash site, pledging an investigation and a reinforcement of safety protocols. "It is not acceptable for a country like Spain to endure two high-speed train accidents in the same year," Sánchez stated, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust in the rail system that transported 45 million passengers in the previous year.
Both fatal accidents this year occurred on the same rail line and involved trains operated by state-owned RENFE and privately owned IRYO, a participant in Spain's liberalized high-speed rail service that began in 2021. The first deadly crash in January resulted in 46 fatalities when a train derailed and collided with another.
The timing of Wednesday's disaster adds political pressure on Sánchez, whose Socialist party faces an uphill battle in the upcoming election. Polls had already indicated a challenging contest for the prime minister, who has navigated crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation during his tenure.
Political rivals have reacted to the crash. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party, demanded a full investigation and canceled his party's campaign events. Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, was more critical, using the tragedy to assail the government.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente indicated that the crash may have been caused by an "inexplicable" order from a central command center after a security system failed. He explained that a computer malfunction had halted trains on a 63-kilometer stretch, but the RENFE train was cleared to resume operation without speed restrictions shortly before colliding with the stationary IRYO train. Puente asserted that the train engineers were not to blame.
The high-speed line connecting Madrid and Seville has been shut down, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and searching for alternative transportation. RENFE has suspended online ticket sales for this service until mid-December.