Transport Minister to Address Congress Following String of Rail Incidents
Spain’s Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, will appear before the Congressional Transport Commission today at 4:00 PM to address January’s alarming railway safety incidents. The hearings follow 47 fatalities across multiple accidents, including high-speed rail and commuter train collisions.
Urgent Parliamentary Scrutiny
The emergency session comes after Puente endured seven hours of questioning in the Senate regarding two major incidents:
- The Adamuz (Córdoba) freight-passenger train collision
- Fatal commuter rail accident in Gelida (Barcelona)
Opposition parties PP, Vox, and Junts have demanded Puente’s resignation, citing “systemic safety failures” in Spain’s rail network management.
Operational Impacts and Safety Measures
Since the Adamuz tragedy, railway operators report a 300% increase in incident reports to infrastructure manager Adif, according to internal documents reviewed by Europa Press. This has triggered:
- 84 temporary speed restrictions across the network
- Suspension of late-night high-speed services between Madrid-Barcelona
- Accelerated track maintenance operations
Broader Context of Rail Safety
Spain’s high-speed network previously maintained an exemplary safety record, with zero passenger fatalities since its 1992 inception until January’s incidents. However, data from the Railway Safety Agency shows:
| Year | Track Incidents | Preventable Accidents |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 217 | 4 |
| 2023 | 294 | 7 |
| 2024 (Jan) | 63 | 3 fatal |
Government Response Timeline
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will address broader transportation safety policy during a special Congressional session on February 11. Meanwhile, the Ministry has implemented:
- Immediate inspection of 1,200km of high-priority track
- Accelerated deployment of European Train Control System (ERTMS)
- Emergency €180 million infrastructure allocation
Expert Perspectives on Rail Safety
Dr. Elena Martínez, infrastructure engineering professor at Polytechnic University of Madrid, notes: “While Spain’s rail network remains among Europe’s safest, clustered incidents suggest systemic stressors. Workforce shortages and deferred maintenance during pandemic budget cuts require urgent addressing.”
Rail Workers Union (SEMAF) spokesperson Carlos Gimenéz confirms: “Our members report unprecedented track degradation. We’ve warned about inspection cycle extensions since 2022.”
For ongoing developments, refer to official statements from Ministry of Transport and verified incident reports from Adif.
Source: Diario de Ibiza coverage
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es