Spanish Transport Minister steps down after train collision

This incident occurred on October 28th south of Madrid, involving a Renfe train colliding with a stationary Iryo train. The crash marks one of Europe’s most devastating rail disasters in recent years, leaving numerous people injured and families grieving.

Puente’s departure comes after a similar rail accident in January claimed the lives of 46 people on the same line. He stated his decision was prompted by the second accident, though he remained in his position to manage the immediate aftermath and implement preventative measures. The timing of his resignation has not been specified.

“A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot continue in office with two accidents of this severity in less than a year,” Puente stated.

The cause of the collisions is under scrutiny, with unions arguing against solely attributing blame to human error. Raquel Ayllon, a union leader at Adif, emphasized the shortcomings of the safety system. “Human error is being criticized and questioned very quickly, while people are not really focusing on the central issue: the failure of the safety system,” she told TVE.