Carlos Cuerpo takes Transport after Puente resigns over Urda crash

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez put Carlos Cuerpo in temporary charge of Spain’s transport ministry on Wednesday. Cuerpo takes over after Óscar Puente resigned over the Urda rail crash.

Cuerpo is also the economy minister and first vice-president. Sánchez said he would hold the transport post until the national election on 29 November. He praised Cuerpo’s work in government and said he would carry on the changes begun by Puente.

Puente left office on Tuesday, six days after the crash near Urda in Toledo province. A Renfe high-speed train hit the rear of an Iryo train that had stopped on the track. At least 69 people died.

Puente told Congress that he could not remain after two rail disasters of such scale within a year. A separate crash near Adamuz, Córdoba, killed 46 people in January. He said his choice was about political dignity and respect for the victims. He also withdrew from the election.

Sánchez accepted the resignation with gratitude and respect. He said the Government would keep helping those hit by the crash and work to restore normal high-speed rail services.

Aid for victims and families

Before leaving office, Puente presented a €30 million aid decree approved by the Cabinet. It sets aside €15 million for urgent grants and €15 million for advances on insurance payments.

For each person killed, the decree offers a direct payment of just over €72,121. It provides the same amount as an insurance advance. Aid for injured people runs from just over €2,404 to more than €84,141, based on the harm caused.

The grants are tax-free and paid in one sum. They can sit alongside payments from required insurance and civil claims. The Transport Ministry had not set an application deadline or issued a final list of papers needed.

Crash-related sick leave will get the same treatment as leave after a workplace accident. The benefit starts on the first day at 75% of the regulatory base. Some pensions may also use those rules when they give more support.

Government offices will help people apply for grants and advances. Staff can visit those who cannot travel. The decree also limits the cost of other travel and hotel stays linked to the Madrid–Seville line closure.

Rail safety work continues

Puente also set out steps to reduce risk on the high-speed network. The Government plans fewer Madrid–Seville trains until a safety review is done and ERTMS is fitted. Two controllers would check orders when signalling fails. A 40 km/h limit is planned when drivers must move by sight.

The inquiries into the Urda and Adamuz crashes remain open. It is not yet clear how the failures occurred or whether warnings were missed.

Sources: elDiario.es, The Local Spain, Diario de Cádiz, Diario de Sevilla and 20minutos.