Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, told lawmakers in Congress on Tuesday that he is stepping down, saying a transport minister in Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of this seriousness in less than a year. The announcement follows the October 28 collision near Urda, south of Madrid, in which a Renfe high speed train struck a stationary Iryo train and at least 69 people were killed, and a second fatal crash in Andalusia in January that killed 46 people. Puente, who had earlier said he would not resign over the latest crash, presented new rail safety measures the same day, and Deutsche Welle reported he did not specify when he will leave the post and will withdraw his name from his party’s candidate list for the November 29 election.
Spain transport minister Óscar Puente resigns after train crash
Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente, announced his resignation in Congress on Tuesday, six days after the October 28 high speed train collision near Urda that killed at least 69 people.
Why it matters: The departure removes the minister who had led the government's response to the crash and had previously said he would not resign, weeks before Spain's November 29 general election.
Data as of BBC and Deutsche Welle reports published November 3, 2026 and read in full in this run. Deutsche Welle frames the step as an offered resignation with no departure date specified; the BBC reports it as a resignation announced in Congress. No successor or interim arrangement was reported by either outlet. Developing item.
Sources
- Spanish transport minister resigns days after deadly train crash - BBC - 2026-11-03
- Spain transport minister offers resignation in wake of train accident - Deutsche Welle - 2026-11-03