Spain’s Transport Minister Refuses Resignation Amidst Deadly Rail Crash Investigation
Spain’s transport minister Óscar Puente has refused to resign following a high-speed rail collision near Toledo that killed at least 69 people. The crash, the second major incident on the Madrid-Seville line in 2026, occurred when a moving Renfe train struck a stationary Iryo train. Preliminary reports indicate a control center error allowed the train to resume movement without speed restrictions after a signaling failure. While Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared national mourning and acknowledged broken public trust, Puente insists his role is to resolve the crisis, not step down, despite intense pressure from opposition parties and unions.