Spain approves rail safety measures after collision that killed 69

Spain’s government has approved new rail safety measures and a €30 million support package for victims and relatives, almost a week after a collision between two high-speed trains killed 69 people. The measures are intended to improve safety and help restore public confidence in high-speed rail, Transport Minister Óscar Puente said.

The collision occurred near Urda, south of Madrid, when a Renfe train struck the rear of a stationary train operated by Iryo. It was Spain’s second major high-speed rail accident in nine months: 46 people died in a collision in Adamuz, Andalusia, in January.

Investigators examining the Urda crash are focusing on the failure of the LZB train protection system and possible errors at infrastructure operator Adif’s control centre. According to preliminary findings, an employee may have issued incorrect instructions after the control system failed.

The number of trains running between Madrid and Seville will be reduced until the European ERTMS signalling system is in operation on the route. If the existing LZB system fails, a second control-room employee will have to check and confirm instructions to train drivers. The government also plans to increase staffing at control centres and improve employees’ working conditions.

Price caps will apply to alternative transport during the closure of the accident route to prevent excessive costs for travellers. The support package includes direct state aid, advances on future compensation and a doubling of benefits under the statutory passenger insurance scheme. Victims and relatives will receive support through dedicated service points, while injured people will have a special provision for temporary incapacity for work.

Authorities have identified all 69 people who died: 40 men and 29 women. Thirty-seven of the roughly 200 injured people remain in hospital. The accident has drawn strong criticism of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government, with the opposition calling for personnel consequences ahead of an early parliamentary election.

Sources: Tagesschau.