The China Mail - Spanish PM vows justice, defends rail safety after deadly accidents

The back-to-back disasters in January shocked the country and raised doubts about the safety of train travel in Spain, which boasts one of the world's most extensive high-speed rail networks.

"The entire state is doing -- and will continue to do -- everything possible to support the injured and the victims' families, clarify the causes of the accident, and, if necessary, ensure justice is done," Sanchez told parliament.

Spain's rail system "is not perfect, but it is safe", he added, vowing to take all necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Shock hit the rail sector after a collision between two high-speed trains in the southern region of Andalusia on January 18 resulted in the death of 46 people -- one of Europe's deadliest such disasters this century.

Two days later, a commuter train in the Barcelona region ploughed into the rubble of a collapsed wall following heavy rain, killing the driver and injuring dozens.

The government reached a deal with railway unions on Monday to invest 1.8 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to improve maintenance, create 3,650 jobs, and strengthen public rail safety.

The agreement prompted unions to call off a three-day strike.

The opposition has called for the resignation of Transport Minister Oscar Puente, blaming the accidents on underinvestment in maintenance and understaffing.

Popular Party (PP) chief Alberto Nunez Feijoo accused the government in parliament of having "played Russian roulette with our safety".

He said the accident in Andalusia was "preventable, not an unforeseeable catastrophe" and blasted the government for not apologising and "taking responsibility".

A preliminary report suggested the track may have been cracked before that catastrophe.

Private operators began running passenger trains in Spain in 2021 following the liberalisation of the rail sector, ending Renfe's decades-long monopoly.

Since then, passenger numbers on some routes have grown noticeably, but the unions say investment in maintenance has not kept up.

But Sanchez said his coalition government had nearly tripled investment in railway infrastructure since it came to power in 2018.

He accused the previous PP government of underinvestment in the national rail network which he said carries over 12 million passengers each week.

"There is still work to be done, without a doubt, and much to improve," Sanchez told lawmakers.

E.Choi--ThChM