Spain Transport Minister Oscar Puente to Resign After Urda Crash

Oscar Puente, the Spanish minister for transport, announced he will leave his post after a train collision near Urda killed 69 people on October 28. He stated he made the decision immediately after the accident but remained in office to manage the immediate aftermath and coordinate safety measures. Puente did not specify a date for his resignation to take effect.

The crash occurred when a state-owned Renfe train proceeded down the tracks while another train was stationary ahead of it. Several trains had stopped automatically due to a signalling failure. Central control in Madrid assumed command of operations and authorized the moving train to continue. This was the second major disaster on the Madrid to Seville line in 2026. In January, a derailment and subsequent collision killed 46 people.

Puente argued that a transport minister in Spain cannot remain in charge after two such severe accidents within a single year, regardless of direct responsibility. He described the decision as a matter of political dignity and empathy for the victims. He noted that while the two incidents were different in nature, the cumulative impact necessitated his departure.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez supported the decision in a social media post. Sanchez wrote that Puente offered solutions before stepping aside of his own accord. The prime minister said the move respected the victims and the progressive political movement. He added that politicians who act this way bring honor to the country and demonstrate that not all politicians are the same.

Rail unions in Spain demanded Puente's immediate dismissal following the October crash. They criticized him for initially attributing blame to a protocol breach by control center operators. Lawmakers also joined the critique. The unions have now announced a strike for November 17 to address railway safety concerns.

A separate incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Martorell, near Barcelona. Three railcars collided with a locomotive, injuring a train driver. This event further added pressure to the national rail network as it deals with the consequences of the year's major fatalities.