EU prosecutor office investigates fatal train crash in Spain
The European Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into possible fraud in Spain's rail network financing following a fatal train crash that killed at least 69 passengers last month.
The European Union's public prosecutors have launched a probe into possible fraud in the financing of Spain's rail network after a high-speed train crash killed at least 69 passengers last month. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) confirmed on Friday that it had carried out investigations at the headquarters of Spain's railway infrastructure manager, its railway safety agency and its court of auditors.
Madrid-Seville Line Investigation
The probe specifically examines possible fraud affecting EU funds allocated to the renovation and upgrading of safety, signaling and communications systems on the Madrid-Seville high-speed railway line. Spain's rail infrastructure manager, Adif, confirmed the EPPO visit to Reuters, stating it complied with the search and provided any requested information.
Today, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Madrid (Spain) is conducting investigative measures at the Administrator of Railway Infrastructure (ADIF), the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF) and the Court of Auditors in Spain.
Resignations and Response
The October 28 train collision in Urda, Toledo province, was the second fatal crash this year and led to the resignation of Transport Minister Oscar Puente. Adif President Luis Pedro Marco de la Pena resigned the following day. Spain's Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo will fill in for Puente's role until elections later this month.
EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas expressed concern over the proximity of the two fatal accidents, calling it "very worrying" and "not something we want to see". Spain had reached out to the European Union Agency for Railways to assist with the ongoing national investigation.
Survivors Demand Action
Survivors from Spain's most fatal train crashes gathered after the Urda incident to demand better safety procedures and increased investment in network maintenance. "Now we have seen three dreadful crashes in Spain, at Angrois, Adamuz and Urda. They will keep happening if we do not act," said train crash survivor Cristobal Gonzalez.
At Angrois, the driver was going too fast; at Adamuz, an investigation said there was a problem on the track; and at Urda, it might have been human error and a problem with the control system. Whatever, we must stop these crashes happening by investing more in safety.
The Angrois accident in 2013, which killed 79 people, remains Spain's deadliest rail crash in modern times. The EPPO had previously investigated the Spanish rail network in March following the January Adamuz crash that killed 46 passengers.
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