Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned following a devastating high-speed train collision that claimed 69 lives and left dozens injured, sending shockwaves across the country. Puente announced his departure on Tuesday, November 3, six days after the October 28 disaster near Urda, south of Madrid. The accident involved a state-operated Renfe train that collided with a stationary train operated by private company Iryo on the Madrid-Seville railway line.
Addressing lawmakers, Puente said he could not remain in office after two accidents of such severity within less than a year. He described his decision as an act of political responsibility and revealed that he had decided to resign shortly after learning about the tragedy.
The resignation comes amid growing public anger and renewed questions about the safety of Spain's railway network. Preliminary accounts indicate that a failure in the signalling and safety system triggered a chain of events that resulted in the collision, with railway controllers authorising the Renfe train to continue despite another train being stationary ahead.
The disaster was particularly devastating because another major railway accident on the same Madrid-Seville line in January killed 46 people. Opposition politicians and railway unions have demanded greater accountability, while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding both tragedies. Before stepping down, Puente announced additional safety measures, including improved railway control centres, faster implementation of European signalling technology and new systems designed to detect potential human errors.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo to temporarily take over the Transport Ministry portfolio following Puente's departure. The government has also announced a €30 million emergency assistance package for victims and their families, alongside plans to strengthen railway safety procedures.
The tragedy has intensified pressure on the administration just weeks before Spain's November 29 general election, making railway safety a major political issue. As investigations continue, families of the victims are demanding answers, accountability and assurances that such a disaster will not happen again.
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