Spanish train drivers are set to launch a three-day nationwide strike starting Monday, February 9th—citing serious safety concerns across the rail network. The action follows two deadly train accidents in January that killed dozens and injured many more, severely disrupting travel and undermining confidence in Spain’s rail system.
Drivers’ union Semaf is calling for more staff, increased investment, and better maintenance, arguing that the network has been steadily deteriorating. Safety inspections carried out after the crashes uncovered faults and maintenance problems on several routes.
The deadliest episode occurred on January 18th in Adamuz, when a high-speed train derailed and collided with another, marking Spain’s worst rail disaster in more than 10 years. A preliminary investigation suggests a track fracture may have occurred before the derailment. Two days later, near Barcelona, a local train derailed after a wall collapsed onto it, killing a trainee driver and injuring at least 37 passengers.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to face parliamentary scrutiny over the rail system’s failures. While the union sees the accidents as a turning point in demanding stronger safety guarantees, the government has rejected claims of underinvestment or poor maintenance.
