Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced his resignation six days after a high-speed train collision that killed at least 69 people and injured dozens. The crash occurred near the town of Urda, south of Madrid.
Puente stated that a transport minister in Spain cannot remain in office after two serious accidents in less than a year, referencing a previous fatal crash in Andalusia in January. He made the announcement in Congress, where he had presented new rail safety measures and faced questioning from opposition parties.
The recent tragedy involved a collision between a state-operated Renfe high-speed train and a stationary Iryo company train. Leaked audio recordings published by Spanish media shortly after the crash indicated that clearance may have been given for the moving train to proceed despite another train stalled on the track approximately 25 kilometers ahead.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged that authorities will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the tragedy.