The deadly incident occurred last Wednesday when a Renfe high-speed train collided into the rear of a stationary Iryo train near Urda, killing at least 69 people and injuring dozens more. Óscar Puente announced his immediate departure while speaking before lawmakers six days after the crash. During his remarks, he pointed to an earlier fatal crash that took place in Andalusia in January to justify his resignation. His departure leaves the government to handle the investigation and accountability for the recent mass casualty event.
Key points
Óscar Puente stepped down as transport minister during an appearance before lawmakers in…: Óscar Puente stepped down as transport minister during an appearance before lawmakers in Congress.
The minister stated he could not remain in his position following two major rail accident…: The minister stated he could not remain in his position following two major rail accidents within one year.
The decision directly referenced an earlier deadly rail crash that occurred in Andalusia…: The decision directly referenced an earlier deadly rail crash that occurred in Andalusia in January.
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Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente has resigned - six days after the high-speed 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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Oscar Puente has also withdrawn as a candidate from the upcoming November 29 general election following the disaster near Urda, which claimed 69 lives. The move follows fierce backlash from right-wing lawmakers and labour unions after he appeared to blame a single control centre operator. The tragedy adds severe political pressure to an ongoing crisis over safety, maintenance, and working conditions on the liberalised rail network.
Political and public backlash peaked after an automatic safety system failure caused a high-speed collision near Urda, marking one of Europe’s deadliest modern rail disasters. The departure follows allegations that officials scapegoated a control room operator rather than addressing systemic safety failures across Spain's rail network. The fallout also prompted the outgoing official to abandon his parliamentary candidacy ahead of snap legislative elections set for late November.
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