Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned following a deadly high-speed train collision near Madrid that killed at least 69 people. The resignation comes after mounting political pressure and revelations of potential communication failures between the control center and train drivers.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical safety concerns in high-speed rail infrastructure and has triggered a significant political shakeup within the Spanish government.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Óscar Puente had been under mounting pressure as opposition parties and some allies of the government called on him to step down
Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned - six days after the high-speed train collision in which at least 69 people were killed and dozens injured.
He announced his decision in Congress, where he had appeared to give the circumstances of last Wednesday's crash near the town of Urda, south of the capital Madrid.
"A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of this seriousness in less than a year," he said, also referring to a deadly crash in January in Andalusia, southern Spain.
The latest tragedy in Urda happened when a state-operated Renfe high-speed train smashed into the back of another stationary train operated by the Iryo company.
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