Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced his resignation in Madrid on November 3, six days after a train collision near Urda killed 69 people, Reuters and EFE reported. Addressing parliament’s standing committee, he said two disasters of such severity in less than a year made remaining in office untenable. His departure comes before the November 29 general election.
According to EFE, Puente also said he would not stand in that election. He described his decision as an act of political responsibility and empathy with victims, irrespective of whether he bore direct responsibility for the crashes. Reuters reported that he said he had decided to leave after the latest collision but stayed to organize the emergency response and initial safety and compensation measures.
EFE reported that the conservative People’s Party and the Basque Nationalist Party demanded his resignation, while Sumar’s parliamentary spokesperson called for him to leave after giving the necessary explanations. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez thanked Puente for his work and praised his sense of political responsibility, according to Reuters. The minister’s announcement brings the question of accountability into the election campaign.
Earlier on November 3, the government approved €30 million in direct aid and compensation advances for victims and relatives, according to its official statement. Half is allocated to direct assistance and half to advances on liability insurance payments. The government said the scheme allows support before administrative and judicial proceedings end, with assistance offices helping affected people submit applications.
The government also announced stronger control procedures, including review by a second human controller when automatic blocking systems are unavailable. Services on the Madrid–Seville line will run at reduced frequency after reopening until a safety review and signalling upgrades are complete. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz said the public was entitled to answers, while stressing that some would depend on progress in the judicial investigation.
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