Spain’s right-wing VOX party has demanded answers from the government over what it calls “railway chaos” caused by wildfires that have disrupted transport across the country.
VOX has formally requested that the head of Adif, Spain’s rail infrastructure operator, and the director of national highways appear before parliament to explain why contingency plans failed during the crisis. High-speed services between Madrid and Galicia were suspended, while road closures left thousands of travellers stranded at the height of the summer holiday return period.
The party accused state rail operator Renfe of offering only limited substitute trains and failing to provide proper alternatives for passengers. It also pressed the government to reveal how many travellers were affected, the economic cost of the shutdowns, and what compensation will be offered.
Wildfires, fuelled by extreme heat and high winds, have already destroyed more than 343,000 hectares (about 848,000 acres) across Spain this summer.
