13 minutes ago

Spanish beginning to question high-speed rail network

The Spanish high-speed rail network was until this year the envy of Europe.

While countries, most notably the UK and US, struggle with developing high speed rail, Spain has almost 4,000 kilometres of track. It takes just two and a half hours to travel the 621 kilometres from Madrid to Barcelona.

Spain has the largest high-speed train network in the world with the exception of China.

Yet, two serious crashes with multiple fatalities in the same year has led to many Spaniards questioning the safety of what was once a major source of pride in the country.

In January a high-speed train derailed at Adamuz killing 46 people. Now, an even worse disaster has befallen the network with the death of at least 68 people following a crash between two trains on the Madrid to Seville line.

The accident points to a very serious signal failure on the route which will be investigated.

LOS YEBENES, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: Emergency workers gather near the scene of a train crash on October 28, 2026 near Los Yébenes, Toledo, Spain. At least 64 people are reported to have been killed after a high-speed Renfe train hit an Iryo tr

LOS YEBENES, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: Emergency workers gather near the scene of a train crash on October 28, 2026 near Los Yébenes, Toledo, Spain. At least 64 people are reported to have been killed after a high-speed Renfe train hit an Iryo train near the kilometer marker 118, between the towns of Mora and Orgaz and Urda, in Toledo province. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

La Comunidad de Madrid decreta tres días de luto oficial por las víctimas del accidente ferroviario de Urda.

Todo nuestro cariño y apoyo a sus familias.

— Isabel Díaz Ayuso (@IdiazAyuso) October 28, 2026

Source: The Irish Times · Ronan McGreevy

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