Spain’s Transport Minister Resigns After Deadly Train Crash That Killed 69
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, has resigned following a deadly high-speed train collision that claimed 69 lives, six days after the disaster occurred near the town of Urda, south of Madrid.
Puente announced his resignation on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during an appearance before lawmakers, where he faced questions about the circumstances surrounding the October 28 accident.
Explaining his decision, the minister said it was no longer appropriate for him to remain in office after two serious train accidents within a year.
“A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of this seriousness in less than a year,” he told lawmakers.
He also announced that he would withdraw his name from the list of candidates for Spain’s early general election scheduled for November 29.
The October 28 disaster involved two high-speed trains on the Madrid-Seville railway line.
A train operated by Spain’s state-owned railway company, Renfe, crashed into the back of a stationary train belonging to private operator Iryo.
The collision killed 69 people and injured dozens of others, making it one of the deadliest railway disasters in modern Spanish history.
Initial explanations surrounding the accident have raised serious questions about railway safety systems and decisions made by train controllers after a communication system failure.
According to reports, trains had been ordered to stop following a failure affecting the safety system. However, controllers in Madrid subsequently authorised the Renfe train to continue, leading to the collision with the stationary Iryo service.
Investigations are expected to establish the full sequence of events and determine responsibility.
Puente also referred to another deadly railway accident in January 2026, which killed 46 people in the southern region of Andalusia.
The two disasters have intensified public scrutiny of Spain’s railway network, particularly concerns about maintenance, safety systems and working conditions for railway personnel.
Opposition politicians and railway workers’ unions had called for Puente to resign following the latest crash.
His departure came after a lengthy parliamentary session during which he explained the government’s response and faced questions from lawmakers.
Before announcing his resignation, Puente outlined measures aimed at improving railway safety and supporting those affected by the disaster.
The government announced a €30 million emergency assistance package for victims and their families.
The proposed safety measures include improved monitoring systems and additional checks when railway controllers have to make decisions while automatic safety systems are unavailable.
The government has also faced calls to ensure that the investigation into the collision establishes what went wrong and prevents similar tragedies.
The resignation comes less than four weeks before Spain’s November 29 early general election, adding another major development to the country’s political landscape.
Although Puente has accepted political responsibility for the two serious accidents, his resignation does not by itself establish the precise cause of the October collision.
Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the disaster as Spain mourns the 69 people who lost their lives.
