Minister of death: Protests in Spain after deadly crash, demonstrators clash with cops

Hundreds protested outside Spain's Transport Ministry, demanding Óscar Puente's resignation. The demonstration sharpened scrutiny of railway safety after the deadly Urda collision.

In Short

• Protesters demand Transport Minister scar Puente's resignation
• Rescue teams continue search amid wreckage in Urda
• Sanchez called the collision a terrible tragedy and promised an investigation

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Spain’s Transport Ministry to demand the resignation of Transport Minister scar Puente following a deadly high-speed train collision that killed at least 68 people. Demonstrators chanted “scar Puente, minister of death” as police moved against the protesters.

The demonstration came as rescue workers continued searching the wreckage after Wednesday’s collision in Urda, south of Madrid. The crash marked Spain’s second fatal rail accident this year and Europe’s deadliest since 2013.

PROTESTERS TARGET TRANSPORT MINISTER

The protesters gathered outside the Transport Ministry, directing their anger at Puente over the deadly accident. Chants branding him the “minister of death” were heard as police moved against the demonstrators.

The protest followed the collision of two Spanish high-speed trains, which left at least 68 people dead and dozens injured. The incident has intensified scrutiny of railway safety in Spain, which has witnessed two fatal rail crashes in the same year.

RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE AFTER DEADLY COLLISION

Rescue efforts continued overnight at the collision site in Urda on Wednesday, October 28, as emergency workers searched through the wreckage for more victims.

Emergency personnel were seen inspecting what appeared to be a casualty at the scene and carrying a body wrapped in a blanket out of one of the trains. Two cranes were also deployed to assist rescue operations.

The death toll stood at at least 68, with dozens more people injured.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised address from near the accident site that “all of Spain” was in mourning. He described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” and promised an investigation into the crash, adding that any failures identified would be addressed.

Sanchez said the causes of the two fatal rail accidents this year appeared to be unrelated. He also vowed to strengthen safety measures if necessary to restore confidence in Spain’s high-speed rail network.

The opposition People’s Party cancelled all its campaign events for the day ahead of an election next month.

SIGNAL FAILURE UNDER SCRUTINY

Transport Minister scar Puente said the crash occurred after a Renfe train was authorised to continue its journey despite an active red signal, with a stationary train ahead.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are expected to be examined as part of the investigation into the disaster.

- Ends
With AFP and Reuters inputs