Spain’s transport minister resigns after deadly train crash

Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned following a deadly train collision that killed at least 69 people and injured dozens, bringing mounting pressure on the government over railway safety.

Puente announced his decision during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, six days after the high-speed train disaster near Urda, south of Madrid. He said a transport minister could not remain in office after two major rail accidents within less than a year.

The October 28 collision involved two high-speed trains operated by state-owned Renfe and private company Iryo. One train crashed into the rear of another that had stopped on the tracks, resulting in one of Spain’s deadliest railway disasters in recent decades.

The accident also renewed scrutiny of the country’s railway safety arrangements. Initial reports pointed to a possible failure in the automatic signalling system, which had forced trains to stop on the affected section of the railway line.

Audio recordings released by Spanish media have further raised questions about the handling of the emergency. Conversations between train drivers and railway controllers reportedly indicated that the moving train had been cleared to continue its journey despite the other train remaining stationary ahead.

The recordings also suggested that the control centre had been informed that the stationary train was unable to move. The circumstances surrounding the decision to allow the second train to proceed are expected to remain a key part of the investigation.

Puente had faced growing demands to resign from opposition parties, including the conservative People’s Party and far-right Vox. Some political allies had also questioned his position, arguing that he should accept responsibility for the repeated railway disasters.

During his parliamentary appearance, the minister outlined additional rail safety measures but faced tough questions over the government’s handling of the transport system. Critics also accused him of shifting responsibility towards human error instead of addressing possible administrative and safety failures.

Announcing his departure, Puente said he was leaving not only his ministerial position but also withdrawing from the candidate lists for the upcoming early general elections scheduled for November 29.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised Puente for taking responsibility and stepping aside voluntarily. He described the decision as an act of dignity and respect for the victims and their families.

The resignation comes at a difficult time for Sánchez’s Socialist-led government, which is already facing political pressure ahead of the elections. The disaster has damaged public confidence in Spain’s high-speed rail network and raised questions about whether the government can restore trust in the country’s transport system.

The January rail accident on the same line, which claimed 46 lives, has further intensified concerns. With two major disasters occurring within months, railway safety and government accountability are expected to remain central issues in the coming election campaign.