EU fraud probe: Spanish railway funding faces renewed scrutiny

Spain's railway system is under renewed investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) for potential fraud involving EU funding allocated to the Madrid-Seville high-speed railway. The investigation follows two deadly accidents near Urda and Adamuz in 2024, which claimed 69 and 46 lives respectively. The EPPO confirmed that its probe is being conducted at ADIF, Spain's railway infrastructure manager, the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF), and the country's Court of Auditors.

The investigation is being supported by the Guardia Civil's Central Operational Unit. It examines possible misuse of European funds allocated to renovate and upgrade safety, signalling, and communications systems on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line. The European Commission recently approved over €110 million for the project, but the EPPO has not disclosed the specific amount involved in its investigation. The fate of the money allocated for railway improvements remains uncertain.