Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash

What the report says

Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, has resigned days after a deadly high-speed rail collision south of Madrid that left at least 69 people dead and dozens injured, according to BBC World News. Puente made the announcement in Congress on 3 November 2026, following a session in which he was questioned about the crash and presented new rail safety measures.

The BBC said Puente linked his decision to the scale of the disaster and to another fatal accident earlier in the year in Andalusia. He had been facing growing pressure from opposition parties and some government allies to step down after the 28 October crash near the town of Urda, south of the capital.

The collision involved a state-run Renfe high-speed train that struck the back of another train operated by Iryo, which was stationary on the line. Rescue crews used heavy lifting equipment to reach passengers trapped in derailed carriages. The BBC also reported that leaked audio published in Spanish media appeared to show confusion in communications shortly before the crash, although the exact cause remains under investigation.

The resignation adds to political scrutiny over rail safety in Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said authorities will examine every detail of the tragedy, while the transport ministry faces questions about oversight and emergency response.