Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledges support for victims and a €1.8 billion safety investment following two fatal train accidents that killed 47 people.
MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed that justice would be done following two train accidents that claimed 47 lives last month. He insisted the country’s extensive rail system “is safe”.
The back-to-back disasters in January shocked Spain and raised doubts about train travel safety. Sanchez told parliament the state would do everything to support the injured and victims’ families.
“The entire state is doing — and will continue to do — everything possible to support the injured and the victims’ families, clarify the causes of the accident, and, if necessary, ensure justice is done,” Sanchez said.
He acknowledged the system was “not perfect, but it is safe”. Sanchez vowed to take all necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
A collision between two high-speed trains in Andalusia on January 18 killed 46 people. It was one of Europe’s deadliest such disasters this century.
Two days later, a commuter train near Barcelona hit the rubble of a collapsed wall, killing the driver. Dozens more were injured in that incident.
The government reached a deal with railway unions on Monday to invest 1.8 billion euros. The funds will improve maintenance, create 3,650 jobs, and strengthen public rail safety.
The agreement prompted unions to call off a planned three-day strike. The conservative opposition has called for Sanchez’s resignation over the accidents.
Popular Party chief Alberto Nunez Feijoo accused the government of having “played Russian roulette with our safety”. He said the Andalusia accident was “preventable, not an unforeseeable catastrophe”.
Far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal called it “a crime and not just an accident”. He added it was “a crime that will weigh on your consciences”.
A preliminary report suggested the track may have been cracked before the Andalusia catastrophe. Concerns over the rail network come as Sanchez faces corruption scandals in his inner circle.
His Socialists suffered heavy defeats in recent regional elections. Private operators began running passenger trains in Spain in 2021 following sector liberalisation.
Unions say investment in maintenance has not kept up with growing passenger numbers. Sanchez said his government had nearly tripled investment in railway infrastructure since 2018.
He accused the previous PP government of underinvestment in the network. Sanchez told lawmakers “there is still work to be done, without a doubt, and much to improve”.
