Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash
At least 69 people were killed and dozens injured in the collision south of the capital, Madrid.
Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash
Óscar Puente had faced growing pressure as opposition parties and some government allies urged him to quit.
Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned, six days after the high-speed train collision that left at least 69 people dead and dozens more injured.
He made the announcement in Congress, where he had appeared to explain the circumstances of last Wednesday’s crash near the town of Urda, south of 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 fatal crash in January in Andalusia, southern Spain.
The latest tragedy in Urda occurred when a state-run Renfe high-speed train slammed into the rear of another train, operated by Iryo, that was stationary.
Puente revealed his decision at the end of a congressional session in which he had set out new rail safety measures and faced intense questioning from the opposition.
He said he had made the decision immediately after the 28 October disaster, but had waited several days before making it public.
Puente had been under increasing pressure as opposition parties and some allies of the government called for his resignation.
Leaked audio recordings published in Spanish media shortly after the crash revealed exchanges between train drivers and a control centre just minutes before the disaster.
Three recordings between Madrid’s control centre and two train drivers appear to show that one high-speed train was cleared to proceed even though another train had stalled on the track about 25km (15 miles) ahead.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said that authorities will “get to the bottom of every last detail of this tragedy”.