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Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigns after 115 deaths in two Spanish train disasters
Puente’s appearance in Congress had become a major political test. Photo credit: Gil Corzo/Shutterstock
Spain’s railway passengers have been left with fresh questions about the safety of the country’s high-speed network after Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced his resignation following two devastating train disasters that claimed 115 lives in less than a year. His departure comes after mounting pressure from opposition parties and several of the Government’s parliamentary allies, with families of the victims still waiting for answers about how the latest collision could have happened.
A long awaited resignation
Puente announced his resignation on Tuesday evening, November 3, at the end of his appearance before the Permanent Deputation of Congress, where he had spent more than four hours answering questions about the Urda railway disaster. Explaining his decision, he said: “A Transport Minister in a country like Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of this severity in less than a year.
However different they may be, and whether or not he has direct responsibility for them, it is a matter of political dignity, consistency and empathy with the victims.” He also confirmed that he would not stand as the PSOE’s lead candidate for Valladolid in the November 29 general election.
Two railway disasters in less than a year
The latest tragedy occurred near Urda, in Toledo, on October 28, when two high-speed trains collided, killing 69 people and leaving more than 200 injured. The accident followed another devastating collision in January near Adamuz, Córdoba, where 46 people died. Together, the two disasters have left 115 people dead and raised serious questions about the management, maintenance and safety of Spain’s high-speed railway network.
For passengers who regularly use the AVE and other high-speed services, the incidents have brought renewed attention to the systems designed to prevent trains from entering occupied sections of track. In the Urda collision, a signalling system failure caused several trains to stop. According to the account given by Puente, a controller at Adif’s Madrid control centre subsequently authorised a Renfe train to resume normal running despite an Iryo train remaining stationary ahead. Investigators estimated that the collision occurred at between 160 and 200 kilometres per hour. The precise circumstances remain under investigation.
Pressure from opposition and Government allies
Puente’s appearance in Congress had become a major political test, with the PP and Vox demanding his resignation alongside several parties that support the Government. PP spokesperson Ester Muñoz criticised his handling of the disasters and questioned whether explaining what had happened was enough when so many people had died. She also challenged the minister over the handling of information surrounding the accident.
Vox spokesperson Pepa Millán questioned how many more people would have to die before political responsibility was accepted. The criticism was not confined to the opposition. Sumar, ERC and the PNV also called for Puente to leave his post, arguing that political responsibility did not necessarily depend on establishing personal blame for the collision. Junts criticised years of railway investment priorities, arguing that maintaining existing infrastructure should have received greater attention.
What happens to Spain’s railway network now?
Before announcing his resignation, Puente outlined several measures intended to prevent another disaster. Among them was a reduction in the number of services operating on the Madrid-Sevilla line until a safety review had been completed and the delayed European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) had been installed.
The Government also plans to introduce a requirement for two controllers to validate instructions when signalling systems fail, alongside a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour when drivers have to rely on visually checking the track ahead. Additional recruitment and improvements to working conditions in railway control centres are also planned.
Another proposed measure involves artificial intelligence technology to monitor conversations between train drivers and controllers, identifying unusual situations that could indicate a developing safety problem. The Government has also approved an emergency assistance package worth €30 million for victims and their families. It includes direct payments of over €72,000,00 for each fatality, alongside financial assistance for injured passengers.
Puente also withdraws from election race
His resignation was accompanied by another political decision. Puente confirmed that he would not stand as the PSOE’s lead candidate for Valladolid in the November 29 general election. His departure follows an extraordinary day in which he initially defended his right to remain in office, faced criticism from across the political spectrum and ultimately decided to step aside.
For the families of the 115 people killed in the two railway disasters, however, the departure of the minister does not answer the questions surrounding either collision. The investigations into what happened in Urda and Adamuz remain crucial to establishing how the failures occurred, whether warnings were missed and what must change to prevent another tragedy.
The wagons came loose from a private railway siding. Photo credit: Victor Martin Dorronsoro/Shutterstock
Spain’s railway problems have been making headlines for weeks, but Tuesday brought another worrying incident, this time involving a freight train in Martorell. Three wagons carrying cereal broke loose, derailed and crashed into a locomotive, sending its driver to hospital. The collision happened at around 3.20pm on November 3, on a railway connection serving Cargill, an international agricultural company with facilities in the Barcelona town.
The wagons came loose from a private railway siding and travelled onto the main railway network, where they struck a Renfe Mercancías locomotive. The impact caused the three wagons to derail. The driver was inside the locomotive‘s cab when the collision happened. He was taken to hospital following the incident, although Renfe said he was in good condition and that the hospital visit was carried out as a precaution under its safety protocol. He was later discharged. No other injuries were reported.
Three wagons escaped from private railway line
The incident took place on the private railway connection belonging to Cargill, which links the company’s industrial facilities to the wider railway network. Adif confirmed that the three wagons had become detached and left the private siding before reaching a section of the general railway network known as the Red Ferroviaria de Interés General (REFIG). They then struck the Renfe locomotive.
Renfe said its freight train was carrying out a manoeuvre when the incident occurred. The wagons were loaded with cereal, although the exact circumstances in which they became detached have not been established. There has been no confirmed explanation of why the wagons moved away from the private siding or what caused them to collide with the locomotive. The accident began on infrastructure connected to Cargill’s premises, rather than on one of the main passenger routes through Martorell.
Rodalies passengers escape disruption
Despite the collision taking place in a busy railway area, commuter services continued to operate normally. Renfe confirmed that the incident had not affected Rodalies services, while Adif also reported no disruption to railway traffic.
That meant passengers using the R4 and R8 lines were not faced with cancellations or delays as a result of the accident. The collision was confined to the freight operation and the private railway connection. The affected locomotive belonged to Renfe Mercancías, the company’s freight division, which operates goods trains across Spain’s railway network.
Another railway incident under scrutiny
The Martorell collision comes just days after the deadly high-speed train disaster near Urda, Toledo, on October 28, which claimed 69 lives. That accident involved passenger trains and has prompted intense scrutiny of railway safety and infrastructure.
The circumstances in Martorell are different and the latest collision involved freight wagons on a private railway connection rather than a high-speed passenger service. However, the fact that three loaded wagons were able to leave their siding and reach a locomotive on the main network raises questions that still need answering.
Right now the task is to establish how the wagons became detached during the railway operation and why they were not stopped before reaching the other train. Until those details are confirmed, the cause of the Martorell accident remains unknown.
Marratxí is preparing for a weekend of Mallorcan traditions, family entertainment and charitable fundraising as its popular autumn fair returns for its 25th edition.
The Fira de Tardor will take place in Sant Marçal on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, bringing together local artisans, sporting organisations and residents for one of the municipality’s best-established annual celebrations.
The two-day event will feature a craft market, live music, children’s entertainment and traditional cultural performances, with a charity running event providing a particularly meaningful start to the festivities.
The fair is free to attend and offers an opportunity for visitors to experience local life beyond Mallorca’s usual tourist hotspots.
Charity run kicks off celebrations
Saturday morning will see the return of the Cursa del Siurell, which is being held for the 13th time.
The sporting event will begin with children’s races at 10am, followed by a 12-kilometre race at 11.15am. A five-kilometre race and a popular walking event will start at 11.20am.
All proceeds from registration fees will go to ASPANOB, the Balearic Islands association supporting children with cancer and their families.
The charity’s work includes providing support to young patients and their relatives during the difficult experience of childhood cancer.
The afternoon will bring a different atmosphere, with a musical tardeo at the La Verònica marquee from 6pm until midnight.
DJ Piter, La Década Prodigiosa, DJ Oscar Romero and DJ Juan Campos are scheduled to perform, giving visitors the chance to enjoy an evening of live entertainment.
172 stalls showcase local craftsmanship
Sunday will be the main day of the autumn fair, with Sant Marçal transformed into a bustling marketplace celebrating the work of artisans from Marratxí and other parts of Mallorca.
The artisan market will open from 10am until 4pm, featuring 172 stalls selling handmade crafts and locally produced goods.
More than 20 local sports organisations will also set up information points between 10am and 2pm, offering demonstrations and opportunities for visitors to learn about activities available in the municipality.
Traditional Mallorcan culture will take centre stage throughout the day, with pottery workshops, a tasting of handmade almond milk and performances celebrating the island’s heritage.
Visitors can watch the Ballada dels Gegants, a traditional dance performance by Engalba and a musical appearance by the municipal music school’s instrumental ensemble.
The programme also includes storytelling sessions, a performance by the Xaranga Quak marching band and a traditional pigeon release.
Families invited to enjoy weekend festivities
Children will have plenty to keep them entertained, with a dedicated programme running from 10.30am until 3pm on Sunday.
Activities will include inflatable castles, face painting and the Món de Colorins children’s play area.
The fair will also host exhibitions showcasing canaries, bonsai trees and historic motorcycles, while associations representing older residents will take part in the celebrations.
The event’s 25th edition reflects its importance to the local community, bringing together generations of residents while providing a platform for local businesses, cultural groups and sporting organisations.
Marratxí mayor Jaume Llompart has highlighted the fair’s place in the municipality’s identity, describing the milestone edition as an opportunity for residents of all ages to come together and celebrate local traditions.
With its combination of artisan shopping, charitable fundraising and family entertainment, the Fira de Tardor promises a lively autumn weekend in Sant Marçal.
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