Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente Announces Departure After Two Deadly Train Crashes
The minister cited political dignity for stepping down following the October 28 collision that killed 69 people, a decision Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described as an act of respect.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Oscar Puente, the transport minister for Spain, announced on November 3 that he will resign from his post. The decision follows two fatal train accidents that occurred in less than twelve months.
Puente stated that he made the choice in the immediate aftermath of the latest disaster on October 28. That collision near the central town of Urda resulted in 69 deaths. He explained that he remained in office temporarily to manage the disaster response and implement safety measures to prevent future incidents. The minister has not yet specified the exact date his resignation will take effect.
"A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot continue in office with two accidents of this severity in less than a year, however different they may be and whether or not he bears direct responsibility for them," Puente said. He characterized the move as a matter of political dignity, consistency, and empathy for the victims.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reacted to the announcement via the social media platform X. Sanchez wrote that Puente had offered solutions before stepping aside of his own accord. The prime minister described the action as a display of honor and a distinction from other politicians.
The October incident occurred after a signalling failure automatically stopped several trains. Central control in Madrid then took over operations. Operators allowed a Renfe train to proceed despite another stationary train occupying the tracks ahead. Rail unions had demanded Puente's immediate dismissal following the crash. Lawmakers also criticized him for blaming protocol errors by control center operators.
This marks the second major incident on the Madrid to Seville line this year. In January, a derailed train struck an oncoming train, killing 46 people. Separately, three railcars collided with a locomotive in Martorell near Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon. One train driver sustained injuries in that event.
Railway unions have scheduled a strike for November 17 to protest railway safety conditions.
