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EU inquiry probes Spanish rail funding after fatal Urda collision
EU prosecutors have opened an inquiry into possible misuse of European funds intended to upgrade safety, signalling and communications on Spain’s Madrid-Seville high-speed railway. The investigation follows the Urda crash, in which 69 people died, and raises questions about how money for rail improvements was spent.
The 28 October collision happened after the LZB train-monitoring system failed: a Renfe train was cleared to travel at normal speed while an Iryo train ahead remained stationary. It was the second deadly crash on the line this year; January’s Adamuz disaster killed 46, bringing the total death toll to 115. The investigation is examining rail authorities Adif and AESF, while the crashes have fuelled political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government and calls to restore public confidence in rail safety.
In short
- EU prosecutors are investigating possible misuse of rail upgrade funds.
- Two crashes on the same line killed 115 people this year.
- The inquiry comes amid pressure to improve railway safety and restore trust.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by BBC World as “Spain’s rail authorities face European fraud probe after Urda rail disaster”.