EU prosecutors probe fraud claims over funds for Spanish rail line hit by deadly crash
EU prosecutors have opened a fraud investigation into funds for upgrading Spain’s Madrid–Seville high-speed line, where a 28 October crash near Urda killed 69. A similar probe began in March after a January crash on the same line killed 46.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has opened an investigation into potential fraud involving EU funds allocated for the renovation and improvement of safety systems on the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line. The accident near Urda, Toledo province, on October 28 resulted in the death of 69 individuals.
This probe follows a similar investigation launched in March after an accident on the same route on January 13, which killed 46 people. The EPPO initiated the investigation on its own accord, targeting the Administrator of Railway Infrastructure, the State Railway Safety Agency, and the Court of Auditors.
Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned following the two tragedies, which together resulted in over 100 fatalities. The latest incident may also impact Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's popularity heading into the country's general election on November 29.
Meanwhile, applications for compensation for victims of the Urda crash are now open, with the deadline set for February 5, 2027. The aid includes immediate grants and advance payments for future compensation. The government has established support offices to assist those affected and guide them through the required procedures.
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