Opposition parties have demanded accountability after 69 people were killed in Spain\u2019s second major railway disaster this year<\/p>\n
A deadly high-speed train collision in Spain has deepened a political crisis engulfing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez\u2019s government ahead of next month\u2019s general election, as opposition parties demand accountability. The disaster, which killed at least 69 people, has sparked angry protests and calls for resignations. \u00a0
\nThe collision occurred near Urda in Toledo province when a high-speed train operated by Spain\u2019s state railway company Renfe struck a stationary train. Audio recordings obtained by El Pais suggest controllers breached safety protocols despite repeated warnings from the stationary train\u2019s driver. It was Spain\u2019s second major railway disaster this year, following a collision near Adamuz in January that killed 46 people. \u00a0
\nThe tragedy has become a major issue in Spain\u2019s election campaign, with the right-wing Vox party blaming Sanchez and the left-wing Frente Amplio coalition demanding political accountability. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Fury erupts outside Spanish Transport Ministry after train disaster (VIDEOS)<\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond technical responsibilities, we demand the assumption of political responsibilities. Out of responsibility and humanity,\u201d Frente Amplio said in a statement on Wednesday. \u00a0
\nThe coalition, which includes parties allied with Sanchez\u2019s government, called for an independent audit of the railway network, describing two deadly high-speed train accidents in one year as \u201cunacceptable.\u201d \u00a0
\nThe leader of the main opposition People\u2019s Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, also demanded an immediate investigation into the state of Spain\u2019s railways, but stopped short of calling for resignations. \u00a0
\n\u201cSpain has the right to know what is happening with its infrastructure, what condition the tracks and safety systems are in,\u201d Feijoo said. \u00a0
\nPublic anger spilled onto the streets of Madrid on Wednesday, where protesters clashed with police outside the Transport Ministry while demanding the resignations of Sanchez and Transport Minister Oscar Puente. Some demonstrators hurled flares and other objects at officers, who responded with tear gas. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Dozens killed in Spanish high-speed train collision (VIDEOS)<\/p>\n
Vox and its affiliated trade union Solidaridad staged a separate rally in central Madrid, where protesters carried a banner reading \u201cCorruption kills.\u201d \u00a0
\nSanchez has promised a thorough investigation, calling two such disasters in one year unacceptable. He has also pledged to strengthen railway safety while standing by Puente, according to El Pais. \u00a0
\nThe tragedy has added to the Socialist-led government\u2019s troubles following parliamentary defeats and mass protests over soaring housing costs. Sanchez called early elections after parliament rejected key housing measures in September, with the vote scheduled for November 29.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Opposition parties have demanded accountability after 69 people were killed in Spain\u2019s second major railway disaster this year A deadly high-speed train collision in Spain has deepened a political crisis…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40770,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-environment","category-politics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t