Leaked recordings from a Spanish rail control centre have revealed the final communications between a controller in Madrid and two train drivers moments before a high-speed train smashed into a stationary train south of Madrid, killing at least 69 people. The recordings suggest the controller told the driver of a Renfe AVE train to “resume normal operations” after a signalling failure, and report that the driver of the stationary Iryo train said she was unable to restart the safety system before the collision.
The recordings, obtained by Spanish media outlets, suggest the controller told the Renfe AVE driver to resume normal operations after a disruption to the LZB signalling system, which monitors train speeds and relays traffic instructions. The driver asked “Normal operations?” and the controller replied “Yes”. Normal operations can involve speeds of up to 200 km/h, as against a cautious 40 km/h during a signal outage. The leaked account says the instruction led the driver to accelerate rapidly without knowing another train was stationary on the line ahead.
The crash occurred at 8:53 am on Wednesday near Urda. The leaked recordings say the Iryo train driver told the controller at 8:41 am that she had “had a loss of transmission” and was stopped at a signal. At 8:48 am she said the system was not allowing her to restart the LZB system, and the controller asked her to begin moving as soon as she could. Five minutes later the Renfe train struck the stationary train.
The leaks are fiercely contested. Union leaders have reacted angrily, and one union leader told El País: “Human errors occur when you don't have the equipment you need to do your job.” Union leaders are calling on Transport Minister Óscar Puente to resign because they believe he should be held responsible.
The crash has become a political issue ahead of Spain's national election on November 29. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised a full investigation and said the government would strengthen safety if needed. People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the challenger, suspended his campaign during the three-day mourning period but said: "Spain has the right to know what is happening with its infrastructure."
Transport professor Carlos Gutiérrez Hita has expressed concern about a series of LZB outages in the weeks before the crash. About 25 million passengers used Spain's high-speed services last year, according to a Reuters analysis.
The crash killed at least 69 people; a derailment at Adamuz in January killed 46.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The crash has killed at least 69 people and raises serious questions about the safety of Spain's high-speed rail system, one of the largest in the world.
- The leaks and political debate could influence the outcome of the November 29 national election, shifting the focus from housing to infrastructure safety.
- The disaster follows another fatal high-speed derailment in Adamuz in January, fuelling public concern about whether investment has kept pace with demand.
Background
Spain's high-speed rail network is among the most extensive globally, carrying about 25 million passengers last year. The system uses the LZB signalling system, which automatically monitors speed and relays traffic instructions. On the day of the crash, a disruption to LZB near Madrid brought eight trains to a halt, forcing a switch to manual control. The crash near Urda on Wednesday is the second major high-speed accident in Spain this year, after a January derailment at Adamuz killed 46 people.
Key Perspectives
Union leaders: argue that human errors occur when workers do not have the equipment they need, and have called for Transport Minister Óscar Puente to resign.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (Socialist Party): has promised a full investigation and said the government will strengthen safety if needed to rebuild confidence in the high-speed system.
People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo: has suspended his campaign for the three-day mourning period but said Spain has a right to know what is happening with its infrastructure.
What to Watch
- The official investigation's findings on the cause of the LZB failure and the controller's instructions.
- Whether Transport Minister Puente resigns or is dismissed amid union pressure.
- The impact of the disaster on the November 29 election campaign, with political arguments clouding the debate about blame.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedLeaked recordings reveal the final messages before the Spanish train crash.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The recordings reveal the final messages between the rail control centre in Madrid and the two train drivers operating on the same line south of the Spanish capital, moments before one train smashed into the rear of the other .”
- SupportedThe death toll is at least 69.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the death of at least 69 in the Urda crash on Wednesday.”
- SupportedThe controller told the Renfe AVE driver to “resume normal operations” after a signalling disruption.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The leaked recordings obtained by Spanish media outlets suggest the controller in Madrid told the Renfe AVE driver to “resume normal operations”.”
- SupportedThe Renfe driver asked “Normal operations?” and the controller replied “Yes.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The driver asked: “Normal operations?” The controller replied: “Yes.””
- SupportedNormal operations can involve speeds up to 200 km/h, compared with 40 km/h during a signal outage.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The definition of “normal operations” includes speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour rather than the more cautious 40km/h during a signal outage.”
- SupportedThe leaked account says the instruction led the Renfe driver to accelerate rapidly without knowing another train was stationary ahead.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “a message that led the driver to accelerate rapidly without knowing another train was stationary on the line ahead.”
- SupportedThe collision happened at 8:53 am on Wednesday near Urda.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The speeding train smashed into the stationary train at 8.53am.”
- Not in the sourcesAt 8:41 am, the Iryo driver said she had “had a loss of transmission”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I have had a loss of transmission and I am stopped at the Urda entrance signal,” she said, according to the transcript published by Spanish state broadcaster RTVE . This was at 8.41am.”
- SupportedAt 8:48 am, the controller asked the Iryo driver to begin moving as soon as she could.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The response from the controller was to ask her to begin moving as soon as she could. “And if you have a problem, call us,” the controller said. The driver replied: “OK, perfect. I’ll let you know.” This was at 8.48am, according to Spanish newspaper El País .”
- SupportedOne union leader told El País, “Human errors occur when you don't have the equipment you need to do your job.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Human errors occur when you don’t have the equipment you need to do your job,” one union leader told El País.”
- SupportedUnion leaders are calling on Transport Minister Óscar Puente to resign because they believe he should be held responsible.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Union leaders are calling on Transport Minister Óscar Puente to resign because they believe he should be held responsible.”
- SupportedSpain’s national election is on November 29.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “because Spain goes to a national election on November 29 .”