Spanish Transport Minister resigns following deadly train crash in Urda

On October 28, 2026, a fatal collision occurred between two high-speed trains near Urda, approximately 150 kilometers south of Madrid, Spain. A passenger train operated by the state company Renfe struck the rear of an Iryo train that had halted on the tracks due to a signaling system failure. The tragedy resulted in 69 deaths and injuries to approximately 200 people. Among the deceased were 54 Spanish nationals and 15 foreigners, including citizens from the United States, Australia, Japan, Argentina, France, Canada, Mexico, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Tunisia. Notable victims included British molecular biologist Marta Shahbazi.

This incident marks the second major rail disaster in Spain within nine months, following a January crash in Andalusia that claimed 46 lives. Initially, Transport Minister Oscar Puente resisted calls for his resignation, stating his intention to oversee reforms and resolve the safety crisis. However, following a tense parliamentary session on November 3, Puente resigned, accepting political responsibility for the systemic failures in the rail network. The government has since announced emergency financial aid packages for victims and families, while an investigation into the signaling malfunction and the control center's decision to authorize the Renfe train's movement remains ongoing.