World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Veteran Renfe driver blames rail liberalisation for Urda crash
On 28 October, a Renfe high-speed train struck the rear of a stopped Iryo train at Urda, on the Madrid-Seville line.
The crash killed 69 people, according to a former Renfe driver writing four days later; many others were still missing or awaiting identification.
The writer, who spent 37 years at Renfe, says the tragedy highlights long-standing problems in Spain's rail system.
He argues that rail liberalisation and separating train operations from infrastructure management have weakened the service.
He also says staff training has declined and criticises political appointments, though these are his assessments.
The letter calls for accountability and says politicians and unions are blaming one another.
It gives no official findings or next steps for the crash investigation.
A veteran Renfe train driver blamed rail liberalisation and the separation of rail infrastructure management from train operations for the Urda crash.
An AVE train operated by Renfe struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train on the Madrid–Seville high-speed line.
The driver said the crash confirmed warnings made by rail groups and unions about the effects of the AVE expansion and changes to the railway.
He also criticised what he described as inadequate staff training and political appointments in the public railway company.
- Who
- A veteran Renfe driver with 37 years of service wrote the account. Renfe and Iryo trains were involved.
- What
- A Renfe AVE train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train at Urda. The driver blamed rail liberalisation and other changes to the railway.
- When
- Wednesday, 28 October, at 8:53 a.m. The article was published on 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Urda, on the Madrid–Seville high-speed line.
- Why
- The driver attributed the crash to the consequences of rail liberalisation and criticised staff training and political interference. The article does not establish the cause of the crash.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The author says rail defence groups and the CNT began warning about threats to the railway.
AVE strikes sought to halt what the author called a harmful course for the railway.
A Renfe AVE train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train at Urda.
El Mundo published the veteran driver’s open letter.
- Author's Renfe service
- 37 years
- Author's AVE train experience
- More than 18 years as a head of AVE trains
- Crash time
- 28 October at 8:53 a.m.
- Crash location
- Urda, Madrid–Seville high-speed line
- Trains involved
- Renfe AVE and stationary Iryo train
- Casualties reported in the letter
- 69 dead at the time of writing
What people are saying
They were not prophecies, but correct analyses.
We lost.