Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, announced his resignation on November 3 after lawmakers questioned him about two deadly train crashes, including an October 28 collision near Urda that killed 69 people.
The latest crash involved a state-run Renfe high-speed train and a stopped train operated by Iryo on the Madrid–Seville route in Toledo province. Puente told lawmakers that rail controllers let the Renfe train continue after its automatic safety system failed. The full circumstances of the crash are still being investigated.
The collision followed a January crash near Adamuz, on the same line, that killed 46 people. Puente said a transport minister could not stay in office after two accidents of such severity in less than a year. Opposition politicians and some parties the government relies on for support had called for him to leave.
During his appearance before parliament, he also outlined proposed rail-safety measures. He said he would not run in the upcoming election. His resignation announcement came after hours of close questioning about the crashes and the government’s response.