Politics · Spain · 3 hrs ago
Spanish rail workers urge urgent safety measures after Urda crash
CCOO has asked Spain’s rail safety agency for urgent safeguards on high-speed rail lines after the Urda tragedy.
CCOO represents workers at Adif, the state-owned company that manages railway infrastructure.
The union says loss of LZB or ERTMS/ETCS supervision can create a serious safety risk when trains must operate under degraded conditions.
Train operator Iryo and the train drivers’ union SEMAF have also sought preventive measures, while Ouigo has asked for coordinated action.
They want the agency to use its authority to require Adif to take temporary steps before the final accident investigation is complete.
One proposed rule would keep trains at 40 km/h after a signalling-system failure until trackside signals confirm normal operation can resume.
The agency can also change railway operating rules, but the sources do not say whether it will act or when investigators will publish their final findings.
CCOO has urged Spain’s rail safety regulator to impose urgent preventive measures after the Urda crash.
The union says loss of LZB and ERTMS/ETCS supervision creates a serious safety risk on high-speed lines.
It wants trains to remain at 40 kilometres per hour after a signalling-system failure until track signals confirm normal operation can resume.
Rail operators and train drivers have also called for stricter safety measures and regulatory action.
- Who
- CCOO, the majority union at infrastructure manager Adif, is calling for action. Rail operators and train drivers have also made safety requests.
- What
- They want the State Railway Safety Agency to require temporary preventive measures following the loss of signalling supervision.
- When
- El Mundo published its report on 2 November 2026. The date of the Urda crash is not stated.
- Where
- Spain’s high-speed rail network, including Adif-managed infrastructure.
- Why
- The Urda crash and the loss of continuous LZB and ERTMS/ETCS supervision have raised concerns about safety during degraded operating conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Operators including Iryo and train-driver groups called for mandatory speed reductions in degraded conditions such as those at Urda.
El Mundo reported that CCOO had sent the safety regulator a letter requesting urgent preventive measures.
- Union
- CCOO, the majority union at Adif
- Adif workforce
- Almost 14,000 employees
- Regulator
- State Railway Safety Agency (AESF)
- Requested speed
- 40 kilometres per hour until track signals confirm normal operation can resume
- Legal provision cited
- Article 19.4 of Royal Decree 929/2020
What people are saying
We request that the exercise of this power be expressly examined, and, in parallel, that ADIF/ADIF AV issue compatible instructions, notices or directives.
sufficient evidence to review operational safeguards preventively, without waiting for the final report