Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, has resigned from his position and withdrawn from the country’s November 29 general election following a train crash that claimed 69 lives.
Puente announced his decision on Tuesday during a lengthy hearing before lawmakers, weeks after the deadly accident triggered widespread criticism of the country’s railway safety system.
“I am not only stepping down from my position as minister of transport, but I am also withdrawing my name from the lists for the early legislative elections on 29 November,” he said.
The minister had previously ruled out resigning despite mounting pressure from opposition parties and labour unions, who criticised his handling of the disaster.
The crash occurred when a train operated by state-owned Renfe rammed into a stationary train belonging to private operator Iryo near Urda, about 80 miles south of Madrid.
In response, Puente announced plans to strengthen railway safety through automated warning systems, artificial intelligence to detect operational irregularities and a second-operator approval requirement for decisions made when automatic safety systems are down.
He also promised reforms to improve railway control operators’ working conditions and announced a 30 million euro compensation package for families of victims and injured passengers.
The disaster has intensified concerns over railway safety in Spain, particularly following another train collision in January that killed 46 people.
