Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned following a high-speed train collision that killed 69 people near Urda, Toledo, on 28 October.
Puente announced his departure during a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday 3 November, six days after the disaster. He also withdrew from the Socialist Party’s candidate list for Spain’s 29 November general election.
Why did Óscar Puente resign?
Addressing lawmakers, Puente said: “A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot continue in office with two accidents of this severity in less than a year.” He described his decision as an acceptance of political responsibility.
His announcement followed mounting demands for his resignation from opposition parties and some parliamentary allies. On 30 October, however, Puente had publicly rejected calls to step down, saying his responsibility was to explain the accident and restore confidence.
What happened in the Urda collision?
A Renfe high-speed train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo service on the Madrid–Seville line. The collision killed at least 69 people and injured many others.
Investigators are examining a failure of the LZB railway safety system and the subsequent decisions taken at the rail control centre. According to accounts presented by the minister, the Renfe train was authorised to proceed while the Iryo train remained stopped ahead. The precise causes and allocation of responsibility remain under investigation.
Second fatal crash this year
The Urda disaster followed a January crash near Adamuz, Córdoba, in which 46 people died. Both incidents occurred on the Madrid–Seville high-speed corridor, prompting renewed scrutiny of safety procedures, staffing and infrastructure.
Who takes over the Transport Ministry?
On Wednesday 4 November, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo would temporarily assume responsibility for the Transport Ministry.
Rail safety measures and investigation
Before announcing his resignation, Puente outlined proposals including stronger checks on control-centre decisions, improved monitoring systems, staff training and further deployment of European railway signalling technology. Railway unions have also raised concerns about staffing and operating conditions, and further industrial action has been proposed.
The resignation is a political development, not a finding that Puente personally caused either accident. Investigations into the circumstances of the crashes continue.
More Fish 4 News coverage
- Initial reports of the Urda train collision, 28 October
- Emergency response and rising death toll, 28 October
- Investigation into signalling and control-centre decisions, 29 October
- Earlier signalling failures and new Renfe safety rules, 2 November
- Railway unions announce strikes and protests, 4 November
