Spain transport minister quits after 69 die in Urda rail crash
What's next: Spain will cut service on the Madrid-Seville line, raise payouts and review signaling after the second deadly crash there this year.
Spain's transport minister, Oscar Puente, resigned after last week's high-speed train collision near Urda killed 69 people, the country's second deadly crash this year on the same line. The Oct. 28 disaster happened when a Renfe train struck a stationary Iryo service about 130 kilometers south of Madrid after an automatic safety system failed and controllers cleared the moving train to proceed. Authorities have now identified all victims, including 54 Spaniards and 15 foreign nationals. The government said it would reduce service on the Madrid-Seville line until a safety review is completed, double compulsory insurance payouts, speed compensation and add new safeguards, including lower speeds during signal failures and more staff in rail control centers.