Spain transport minister says he won't resign over high-speed rail disaster

What the report says

Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, has said he will not resign after a high-speed rail collision that left at least 69 people dead and triggered public anger and political pressure. Speaking at a news conference in Madrid, Puente said he had “nothing to hide” and insisted his immediate task was to help resolve the crisis rather than discuss his own future.

According to BBC World News, the crash happened on Wednesday morning near Urda in Spain’s central Toledo province, when a state-run Renfe train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train. Dozens were killed and many more injured. A preliminary investigation released on Thursday said the Renfe train was travelling between 160km/h and 200km/h at the time of impact. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said public confidence in the country’s high-speed rail network had been damaged.

Puente has faced calls to step down from political rivals, a trade union and protesters. The BBC report also noted that leaked audio published in Spanish media suggested one train had been cleared to move even though another train was stalled ahead on the same line. Puente said investigators still needed to answer many questions and that any human error would be dealt with if confirmed.

The crash has deepened scrutiny of Spain’s rail system and comes amid three days of mourning. BBC World News reported that it was one of Europe’s worst rail disasters in modern history and Spain’s deadliest crash since 2013.