Violent Protests Erupt in Spain Following Deadly Train Collision
A tragic train crash in Spain sparks violent protests, with demonstrators demanding resignations from top officials and accountability for railway safety.
Madrid, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : In Madrid, violent protests erupted late Wednesday night following a catastrophic collision between two high-speed trains that claimed 68 lives. The tragedy, which also left over 180 injured, prompted citizens to take to the streets in anger.
More than 1,000 demonstrators participated in the government protests, led by right-wing groups. Initially peaceful, the demonstration escalated into clashes with police, who responded with light force to disperse the crowd. Protesters demanded the resignations of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez, with some labeling the latter as the “Minister of Death.” Calls for accountability regarding railway safety were prominent among the crowd.
The rally was organized by the far-right Falange party and other groups, while a separate protest was held by a Vox-linked organization called Solidaridad. Tensions heightened when some protesters attempted to breach a police barricade, leading riot police to deploy tear gas. In retaliation, enraged demonstrators threw firecrackers and empty bottles at law enforcement.
The train accident occurred near the town of Urdá, south of Madrid, and marked the second deadly high-speed rail collision in Spain this year. According to reports from the state broadcaster RTVE, a train operated by the state-owned Renfe collided with a stationary train belonging to the private operator Iryo. Initial investigations indicated a failure in the railway safety system, which allowed a train to resume operation, resulting in the tragic incident.
Earlier this year, another train accident occurred near Adamúz, resulting in 46 fatalities when a train derailed. The repeated tragedies have raised serious concerns about railway safety standards in Spain.
