Spanish minister refuses to resign over second major train crash on his watch

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente has firmly rejected calls for his resignation following a second major train accident that has claimed at least 69 lives this year. The latest crash, which occurred near the town of Urda in central Spain, has reignited debates surrounding safety and maintenance on Spain's extensive high-speed rail network.

Lawmakers from various political backgrounds have criticized Puente for attributing the accident to a protocol violation by control center operators and not accepting responsibility. Rail workers' unions have called for his immediate dismissal. In a press conference on Friday, Puente emphasized that his focus should be on resolving the issue, determining the exact cause of the accident, and providing clear explanations.

Rescue teams continue to search for survivors and identify victims, with 64 people still missing and 69 confirmed dead. Authorities have conducted 49 autopsies, formally identifying five victims, all of whom are adults. Additional bodies have not yet been recovered, and the process of identifying the deceased remains challenging due to the extensive damage.