Spanish transport minister resigns after deadly train crashes
Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente announced his resignation on Tuesday following a high-speed train collision in Toledo province that killed 69 people and injured around 200 others.
Speaking before the Permanent Deputation of Congress, Puente said he could not remain in office after two major railway accidents in less than a year.
“A Minister of Transport in a country like Spain cannot continue in his post after two accidents in less than a year, as a matter of dignity,” he said.
He described his departure as a decision based on political responsibility and dignity, adding that he had initially intended to wait for the first findings of the investigation before making his decision.
Puente also confirmed that he would not stand as the lead candidate for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party in Valladolid in the November 29 elections.
Investigation focuses on railway safety systems
The October 28 accident occurred near Urda, in Toledo province, when a Renfe high-speed train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train.
Puente said a failure in the automatic train protection system had initially brought the trains to a halt before a controller authorized the Renfe train to resume normal speed.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
The accident follows another deadly incident in January on the same high-speed route connecting Madrid and Seville, which claimed 46 lives.
Minister defends infrastructure spending
During his parliamentary address, Puente defended the government's investment in railway infrastructure, rejecting allegations that the Madrid-Seville high-speed line had been neglected.
He said authorities had launched a €780 million modernization programme for the route, insisting that the infrastructure had not been abandoned or overlooked.
His resignation comes amid growing scrutiny of railway safety, infrastructure maintenance and the government's handling of the two fatal accidents.
Source:AA
