In brief
Spanish rail authorities have lowered the speed limit to 80 km/h on a section of the high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona due to a crack found in the track. This action comes after a recent crash that claimed 45 lives and highlights ongoing concerns over rail safety amid service disruptions in Catalonia and calls for better infrastructure.
Spanish rail authorities have temporarily reduced the speed limit on part of the high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona after a fault was detected on the track. Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed a crack was found on Sunday night in the line 110km (68 miles) west of Barcelona, between Alcover and l'Espluga de Francolí in the Catalonia region.
This safety measure arrives mere days after a devastating high-speed collision in southern Spain resulted in the deaths of 45 individuals, exacerbating existing concerns over local rail service reliability in the northeastern part of the country.
Despite the fault, the transport ministry assured that trains would continue to operate, though now at a greatly reduced maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), significantly lower than the normal speeds of 300 km/h on this vital route.
Just a week prior, several sections along the Madrid-Barcelona line had speed limits temporarily set to 230 km/h after reports from drivers detailed vibrations and other irregularities. These were later lifted following thorough technical inspections.
Recent disruptions also affected the local Rodalies rail service in Catalonia, following a separate incident where a trainee driver lost their life after a train collided with a collapsed wall. As a result, services halted as drivers pressed for enhanced safety measures.
Transport authorities are also grappling with chaotic service interruptions, including speculation about potential cyberattacks affecting the rail network. Political fallout from the ongoing situation has led to opposition calls for the resignation of Minister Puente, amid accusations of misleading the public regarding rail safety.
