Second fatal train collision this year casts doubt over Spain’s high-speed rail network
Summary
At least 64 people died when two trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, the second fatal rail crash in the country in nine months. Investigators have not confirmed the cause, while the crash has renewed questions about safety and maintenance on the high-speed network.Key Facts
- The two trains carried 544 passengers, and several carriages derailed.
- A Reuters source said an Iryo train stopped near Toledo after a signaling fault and on instructions from infrastructure manager Adif; a Renfe train then struck it.
- Renfe said its train had been told to continue and that the reason for the collision was unknown.
- A January crash near Adamuz killed 46 people and injured dozens.
- The crashes involved the same operators and occurred on the Madrid-to-Andalusia line, according to the article.
- Spain’s largest train drivers union had planned a 24-hour Renfe stoppage for the day after Wednesday’s crash, citing safety concerns.
- Spain’s government says it has increased railway maintenance spending by 54% since taking office in 2018.
- Spain spent an average of about €1.5 billion a year on its high-speed network from 2018 to 2022, but about 16% of funding went to maintenance, renewal, and upgrades, according to the article.
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