Nakon teške željezničke nesreće u Madridu prosvjednici traže ostavku vlade

At least 69 people died and approximately 100 were injured when a high-speed train collided with a stationary private train in the province of Toledo, Spain, on Wednesday. The Spanish government declared three days of national mourning following the disaster, which officials described as the deadliest rail accident in the country since 2013. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that authorities are working around the clock to determine the exact causes of the tragedy and to ensure such an incident does not happen again. Initial findings suggest the crash resulted from a combination of a computer system failure and human error by network operators. The collision occurred in the town of Urda, located more than 80 miles south of Madrid. A state-owned Renfe AVE train traveling from Madrid toward Andalusia struck the rear of a private Iryo train that had stopped on the tracks. Both trains were operating on the same high-speed line heading south. Approximately 540 passengers were aboard the two trains combined. The impact derailed several carriages, sending them off the embankment. Rescue teams worked through the night to search the wreckage for survivors and recover bodies. Regional President Emiliano Garcia-Page indicated that while rescue operations continued, the likelihood of finding additional victims was low, though the condition of patients in critical care showed slight improvement. Police have requested DNA samples from family members to assist in identifying the deceased. Transport Minister Oscar Puente attributed the accident to an "inexplicable" decision made by the control center. According to released communications logs, an automated signaling system failed, causing both trains to stop automatically. Network operators then took manual control of the lines. A controller ordered both trains to resume movement at normal speed. However, the driver of the Iryo train reported that his systems did not allow him to restart the train. The control center did not inform the Renfe driver of this issue. Consequently, the Renfe train proceeded forward and collided with the stationary Iryo train. Under standard safety protocols, controllers should have imposed a speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour to allow drivers to spot obstacles when automatic systems fail. Instead, the controller instructed the Renfe train to proceed at full speed without verifying that the track ahead was clear. Puente identified the specific individual responsible for the decision but noted that the operator has not yet been interviewed. The official stated that the person will face whatever consequences the investigation dictates. The incident has reignited debate over the safety of Spain’s high-speed rail network, which is the largest in Europe. The crash occurred on the same route as a previous fatal collision in January of this year near Adamuz in Cordoba, where 46 people died and 123 were injured. That earlier accident involved a broken rail that caused a train to derail. Critics argue that the safety systems on the Madrid-Seville line, specifically the German-made LZB signaling system, are outdated and require urgent renewal. The liberalization of the market in 2021 allowed multiple operators, including Iryo, to compete with the state-owned Renfe, doubling passenger numbers on key routes. Some union representatives have long criticized the maintenance standards of the infrastructure. The locomotive drivers' union, Semaf, continues to threaten strikes demanding improved safety conditions. Public reaction in Madrid turned volatile on Wednesday evening. Approximately 1,500 people gathered in a protest organized by far-right groups. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Sanchez. Clashes broke out between protesters and police, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Sanchez canceled campaign appearances and traveled to the crash site on Wednesday afternoon. He expressed solidarity with the victims' families and promised compensation for the dead and injured. The Prime Minister emphasized that the ministry is investigating whether negligence played a role and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Religious leaders offered condolences and spiritual support. Pope Francis sent a telegram of sympathy to Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo, offering prayers for the victims and encouraging rescue workers. Bishop Alfonso Carrasco Rouco of Lugo led a Mass at the University of Salamanca, asking for comfort for the bereaved. The Toledo diocese and local Caritas organizations pledged assistance to affected families. Emergency responders received widespread praise for their efforts during the initial recovery phase. Political tensions remain high as the country approaches general elections scheduled for November 29. Opposition parties, including the conservative People's Party and the right-wing Vox party, have intensified criticism of the government's management of public infrastructure. While the leader of the People's Party has not publicly called for immediate resignation, political analysts expect pressure on Sanchez to increase following the period of mourning. Sanchez faces scrutiny over how the central government balanced the expansion and privatization of the rail network against necessary maintenance investments. The transport ministry maintains that the overall system remains safe despite the isolated failures revealed by this investigation.