Symbolic imageSpain's transport minister resigns after Urda rail crash
Transport minister Óscar Puente resigned on Tuesday, a week after the Urda collision that killed 69. Spain will cut Madrid-Seville services until the European ERTMS safety system is installed.
Puente announced after a long appearance before parliament that he is quitting and will not stand in the early election on 29 November. He had repeatedly ruled out resigning since the crash. A transport minister cannot stay after two accidents of such gravity in under a year, he said, whether or not he bears direct responsibility. The first was Adamuz in January, with 46 dead.
Fewer trains, new rules
Puente said Madrid-Seville traffic will be cut until the safety agency reviews the line and the delayed ERTMS system is installed. Trains must slow to 40 km/h when a signal fault forces drivers to watch the track, and an AI system will flag anomalies in driver-dispatcher talks. The cabinet also approved a 30 million euro aid package for victims and families.
Cause under investigation
Investigators focus on the failure of the LZB train protection system and possible errors in instructions from the Adif control centre, Handelsblatt reports. Puente said the Renfe train was cleared to proceed despite a stopped Iryo train ahead.