Ask Onix
Spanish train drivers are set to launch a three-day nationwide strike starting Monday, citing inadequate safety measures on the country's rail network following two fatal accidents in January.
Deadly crashes spark outrage
The industrial action follows two catastrophic derailments last month. On 18 January, a high-speed train collided with another near Adamuz in southern Spain, killing 46 people in the country's worst rail disaster in over a decade. Just two days later, a local train derailed near Barcelona after a wall collapsed onto the tracks, killing the trainee driver and injuring 37 passengers.
Union demands action
The train drivers' union, Semaf, has called for immediate hiring of additional staff and increased investment in maintenance, describing the rail network as being in a state of "constant deterioration." Safety inspections conducted after the crashes uncovered faults and maintenance issues on multiple routes.
"These collisions mark a turning point. We demand all necessary measures to ensure the safety of railway operations,"
Semaf statement
Government under pressure
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to face questioning in parliament this week over the failures in the rail system. Transport Minister Óscar Puente has defended the government's record, stating that €700 million (£605 million) has been invested in upgrading the Madrid-Andalusia line, including the section where the Adamuz crash occurred. Puente dismissed claims of underinvestment, obsolete infrastructure, or maintenance neglect.
Investigation findings
A preliminary report by the rail accident investigation commission CIAF revealed grooves on the wheels of the derailed train in Adamuz, as well as on three earlier trains, suggesting a track fracture occurred before the derailment. Meanwhile, officials believe the Barcelona incident was caused by a collapsed wall striking the train's cab, severely damaging the first carriage where most injuries occurred.
Impact on travelers
The strikes are expected to cause significant disruptions for passengers, adding to the chaos already caused by the recent accidents. Semaf has warned that without urgent reforms, further safety risks remain unaddressed.
