Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, said he would not resign after the high‑speed train collision that killed 79 people on 23 March 2023 near Barcelona. The accident, involving two AVE trains, prompted widespread criticism of the ministry’s safety oversight and led to calls from opposition parties and civil‑society groups for Puente to step down. In a press conference on Thursday, Puente stated that he would remain in office and that the ministry would cooperate fully with the independent investigation that has been launched by Spanish authorities. He added that the government would review rail safety protocols to prevent a recurrence. The incident, which occurred on the Barcelona‑Madrid high‑speed line, has become a focal point for discussions about rail safety in Spain. The Spanish government has announced that an independent inquiry will examine the causes of the collision and the adequacy of existing safety measures.
Article source: Cedar News | Image credit: Cedar News