Spanish Train Drivers Strike Over Safety Concerns Following Deadly Accidents

Spanish train drivers launched a three-day strike over safety concerns after recent deadly accidents, including a high-speed collision in Andalusia and a derailment near Barcelona. Essential services continue, with long-distance trains running at 73?pacity. The SÉMAF union demands improved safety and maintenance as passenger numbers rise. Prime Minister Sánchez will brief parliament on the rail system’s issues.

Train services across Spain were severely disrupted on Monday as train drivers initiated a three-day strike, citing urgent safety concerns within the rail network. The strike comes in the wake of two tragic incidents in recent weeks that have raised serious questions about the safety of Spain’s rail system. On January 18, a high-speed collision in the southern Andalusia region resulted in the deaths of 45 people. Just two days later, a separate accident occurred near Barcelona, where a containment wall collapsed onto the tracks following heavy rainfall, derailing a commuter train and killing the driver while seriously injuring four passengers.
Under Spanish law, essential services are required to continue operating even during strikes. This legislation ensures that only a limited portion of employees can participate in industrial action at any one time, thereby maintaining basic transport services. Following this regulation, the Ministry of Transport mandated that up to 73% of long-distance trains must remain in operation nationwide. Meanwhile, the state-owned railway company, Renfe, confirmed that minimum service levels for local and regional trains would be lower than for long-distance services, reflecting the ongoing strike.
In an attempt to prevent the walkout, Transport Minister Oscar Puente held discussions with union representatives over the weekend. However, the negotiations failed to reach a resolution, prompting the strike to proceed as planned. The strike is being led by SÉMAF, the train drivers’ union, which has stated that its members are calling for a comprehensive “structural change in safety” across the railway system.
Union leaders have highlighted that the rapid growth in passenger numbers has placed increasing strain on the high-speed rail network. They warn that the system is deteriorating and are demanding stronger guarantees for both safety and maintenance. In August, the union sent a letter to rail operator Adif, warning of severe wear and tear on several railway lines, including those involved in January’s fatal accidents. Diego Martin, the union leader, told Reuters that the situation is “a vicious circle,” explaining that defects in the tracks cause damage to trains, which in turn leads to further damage to the tracks, exacerbating the risk of accidents.
The union also raised concerns about whether the maintenance of the network is keeping pace with the growing passenger demand. Nearly 40 million people traveled on high-speed trains in Spain in 2024, almost double the number recorded in 2019. However, the vast majority of funding has been allocated to constructing new infrastructure, with only about 16% set aside for maintenance, renewal, and essential upgrades.
The situation has drawn the attention of the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to brief parliament on Wednesday, addressing the failures in the rail system and outlining the steps the government plans to take to improve safety and restore public confidence in the network.