A deadly high-speed train collision in Spain has deepened a political crisis engulfing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government ahead of next month’s general election, as opposition parties demand accountability. The disaster, which killed at least 69 people, has sparked angry protests and calls for resignations.
The collision occurred near Urda in Toledo province when a high-speed train operated by Spain’s state railway company Renfe struck a stationary train. Audio recordings obtained by El Pais suggest controllers breached safety protocols despite repeated warnings from the stationary train’s driver. It was Spain’s second major railway disaster this year, following a collision near Adamuz in January that killed 46 people.
The tragedy has become a major issue in Spain’s election campaign, with the right-wing Vox party blaming Sanchez and the left-wing Frente Amplio coalition demanding political accountability.
“Beyond technical responsibilities, we demand the assumption of political responsibilities. Out of responsibility and humanity,” Frente Amplio said in a statement on Wednesday.
The coalition, which includes parties allied with Sanchez’s government, called for an independent audit of the railway network, describing two deadly high-speed train accidents in one year as “unacceptable.”
The leader of the main opposition People’s Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, also demanded an immediate investigation into the state of Spain’s railways, but stopped short of calling for resignations.
“Spain has the right to know what is happening with its infrastructure, what condition the tracks and safety systems are in,” Feijoo said.
Public anger spilled onto the streets of Madrid on Wednesday, where protesters clashed with police outside the Transport Ministry while demanding the resignations of Sanchez and Transport Minister Oscar Puente. Some demonstrators hurled flares and other objects at officers, who responded with tear gas.
Vox and its affiliated trade union Solidaridad staged a separate rally in central Madrid, where protesters carried a banner reading “Corruption kills.”
Sanchez has promised a thorough investigation, calling two such disasters in one year unacceptable. He has also pledged to strengthen railway safety while standing by Puente, according to El Pais.
The tragedy has added to the Socialist-led government’s troubles following parliamentary defeats and mass protests over soaring housing costs. Sanchez called early elections after parliament rejected key housing measures in September, with the vote scheduled for November 29.
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