Spanish transport minister faces calls to quit after deadly train crash

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente has firmly refused calls for his resignation in the wake of a second major train crash under his watch, leaving at least 69 dead. The crash near Urda, central Spain, occurred when a high-speed train collided with a stationary one, moving at speeds between 160 and 200 kph. Despite criticism, Puente blamed the incident on protocol breaches by control center operators rather than accepting responsibility.

This comes after a similar accident in January, which claimed 46 lives. The accident has reignited debates about safety and maintenance on Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network, as the country prepares for elections in November. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to uncover the cause of the accident, emphasizing the unacceptable nature of two such tragedies in a single year.