“A question of dignity”: the Spanish Minister of Transport submits his resignation after the deadly collision between two trains

Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente announced his resignation on Tuesday, November 3, almost a week after the train disaster which claimed the lives of at least 69 people south of Madrid. “I would like to let you know that I am not only renouncing my duties as Minister of Transport, but that I am also renouncing to appear on the lists” for the early legislative elections of November 29, declared after a long appearance before the deputies the minister, who had since the disaster ruled out any resignation on several occasions.

“A Minister of Transport from a country like Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of such seriousness in less than a year, however different they may be, and whether or not I bear direct responsibility,” declared Óscar Puente, also referring to the Adamuz disaster, which left 46 dead in January in Andalusia. “It’s a question of political dignity, consistency and empathy towards the victims.”

“I made my decision about my future in the first minutes following the tragedy, as soon as I learned about it,” he assured. At the end of the council of ministers, on Tuesday morning, Oscar Puente presented to the press an "extraordinary plan to strengthen the security of the high-speed network", as well as an aid system for survivors and the families of victims, assuring that the government would work "tirelessly" to "regain the confidence" of the population in the Spanish high-speed network.