Spain’s Transport Minister Resigns After Deadly Train Collision That Killed 69

Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente

Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned following a devastating high-speed train collision that claimed at least 69 lives.

Puente announced his departure on Tuesday evening after appearing before Congress to explain last Wednesday’s disaster.

The October 28 collision occurred near Urda, south of Madrid, when a moving train struck another stationary train.

At least 69 people died, while dozens sustained injuries in one of Europe's deadliest recent railway disasters.

Puente said remaining in office was untenable after two major rail accidents within less than a year.

He also announced that he was withdrawing his name from the lists for the early legislative elections.

The minister said his decision was guided by political dignity.

Pressure Mounted After Railway Disaster

Puente faced growing demands to resign from the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox.

Some government allies also questioned his continued leadership following the tragedy.

Critics accused him of shifting responsibility towards human error instead of addressing possible failures within the railway system.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously acknowledged that public confidence in the railway network was badly damaged.

Sánchez praised Puente's decision, saying he had faced the situation, provided answers and solutions before stepping aside.

He added that the resignation demonstrated respect for the victims.

Questions Raised Over Railway Safety

The collision involved a state-owned Renfe train carrying 397 passengers and a privately operated Iryo train carrying 147.

Reports indicated that an automatic signalling system failure had forced trains to stop along the affected section.

Spanish media subsequently published leaked recordings of conversations between train drivers and the Madrid control centre.

The recordings appear to show that the Renfe driver received clearance to continue despite the stationary train ahead.

Another recording reportedly captured the Iryo driver informing controllers that communication with the train-control system had failed.

The driver also said the train's safety system prevented it from moving.

A later recording suggests controllers knew the Iryo train remained stationary as the Renfe train approached.

Iryo confirmed that its carriages were struck from behind.

Government Faces Electoral Pressure

The resignation comes ahead of Spain's early general election scheduled for November 29.

The railway disaster has intensified political pressure on Sánchez's Socialist-led administration.

Authorities now face demands to establish what caused the collision and restore public confidence in railway safety.

The investigation will be crucial in determining how the two trains ended up on the same stretch of track.