Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente has firmly rejected calls to resign following the fatal collision between an AVE and an Iryo train in Urda, Toledo. During a press conference at the Ministry, Puente acknowledged the intense pressure but maintained that his method of assuming responsibility is to "face the facts" and provide explanations rather than stepping down. He emphasized that his obligation is to resolve the crisis and clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Minister revealed critical details regarding the safety systems involved in the crash. He stated that the LZB security system, which failed leading to the accident, has malfunctioned 170 times this year. Puente characterized this frequency as being "within European normality," noting that it is below the average of the previous two years and that 75% of these failures were due to external factors such as infrastructure works or weather. He explained that when the LZB system fails, trains revert to conventional network criteria with a maximum speed of 200 km/h, ensuring that no train travels at 300 km/h under direct human control alone.
Regarding the specific mechanics of the collision, Puente described how the AVE train encountered a green signal before impact. The system had authorized the stationary Iryo train to proceed and set its route, but the Iryo was unable to restart its system. Consequently, the signal remained green for several minutes while the Iryo stayed stopped, failing to alert the approaching AVE of the obstruction. Puente noted that this scenario was visible on control screens, showing one train approaching while the other remained motionless.
Political reactions have been sharp, with opposition leaders demanding accountability. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the People's Party (PP), directly accused the government of negligence, linking the deaths in Toledo and a previous accident in Adamuz to a lack of maintenance and an obsolete security system. Feijóo stated that 46 people died in Adamuz due to poor maintenance and at least 69 in Toledo because the government failed to renew the safety system. He warned that if the ministers do not resign, the opposition will remove them through the ballot box in upcoming elections.
Ada Colau, candidate for the Broad Front, also called for Puente's resignation, arguing that a political response commensurate with the tragedy is essential. She cited President Pedro Sánchez's admission that trust in the high-speed rail system has been broken as justification for her demand. Colau acknowledged that while Puente may not have had direct operational involvement, he bears political responsibility, especially given that similar warnings were issued after the January incident.
President Pedro Sánchez admitted that confidence in the high-speed rail network is fractured and stated that the government's task is now to investigate the causes and offer solutions to prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Puente indicated that the government is considering closing the Madrid-Barcelona AVE line during its remodeling process. He suggested that interrupting service, a practice common in countries like Germany, might be more prudent than continuing operations during construction, which has historically caused reliability issues in Spain.
Consumer rights organization Facua has filed complaints against Iryo and Ouigo for failing to provide alternative transport to passengers affected by cancellations resulting from the accident. The group argues that refunding tickets should not be the only solution offered when users wish to complete their contracted journeys. Additionally, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha has deactivated its emergency hotline established after the crash, though lines operated by Renfe and Iryo remain active.
Sources: El País Portada.