Spain's transport minister resigns after train crashes kill 115
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente has announced his resignation following two deadly train crashes that killed 115 people in less than a year, describing his departure as an act of political responsibility.
Addressing lawmakers in Madrid on Tuesday, Puente said remaining in office after the tragedies would be incompatible with political dignity and respect for the victims.
“The real tragedy, without a doubt, is that of the victims, their families and their loved ones whom they will never be able to see again,” he said.
Puente revealed that he decided to resign shortly after learning of the latest crash but stayed in office to oversee initial investigations, assist victims and introduce emergency safety measures.
“A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of this severity in less than a year,” he said.
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His resignation follows an October 28 collision near Urda, in Toledo province, where a Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo service, killing 69 people and injuring around 200 others.
The disaster came nine months after another train crash in Córdoba province killed 46 people in January. Both incidents remain under investigation.
Puente compared his decision to that of former Portuguese minister Jorge Coelho, who resigned following a deadly bridge collapse in 2001, declaring that political accountability must accompany such tragedies.
His departure comes ahead of Spain's November 29 general election, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government faces growing criticism over railway safety.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
