Óscar Puente has announced his resignation as Spain’s transport minister following the rail disaster in Urda, Toledo, which left 69 people dead. He made the announcement on Tuesday at the end of a hearing lasting more than four hours before the Permanent Deputation of the Congress of Deputies, where he discussed the crash and the government’s planned safety measures. He also confirmed that he would not run on the PSOE’s list for the November 29 general election, citing “political dignity.”
Puente said he had decided to leave office within hours of the crash but waited for the first findings before making the decision public. During the hearing, he argued that none of his decisions or omissions had directly contributed to the accident. That statement does not constitute a finding by the ongoing investigation. He described his resignation as a “necessary and positive measure” and urged people not to lose sight of those affected.
The announcement came hours after government sources had said Puente’s position was not in question and ruled out both his resignation and a dismissal by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, according to EFE. Puente had previously offered to step down after the crash, but Sánchez asked him to remain in post, saying his departure would be unjustified.
The cause of the Urda disaster remains under investigation. According to the communications and account presented by Puente, after the LZB train-control system failed, Adif’s control centre authorised an AVE train to resume normal movement at 8:36 a.m. The train did not move until about 8:43. Five minutes later, the driver of an Iryo train reported that it was still stopped. The control centre received the alert but did not order the AVE to stop. The trains collided at around 8:53.
Puente’s departure leaves the government to name a successor and carry out the safety measures announced on Tuesday. These include a review of systems on the Madrid–Seville line and a requirement for two validations of movement instructions when automatic protection systems fail. The government has also approved €30 million in aid and advance compensation payments for those affected.
While the investigation continues, the Transport Ministry has requested judicial authorisation to reconstruct the damaged section of track. Puente estimated that the line could reopen within a maximum of ten calendar days after that permission is granted.
Sources: Xataka.