EU prosecutors open second Madrid–Seville rail funds probe

EU prosecutors confirmed on Friday 6 November that they had opened a second probe into possible fraud involving EU funds on the Madrid–Seville high-speed line.

The new case covers money meant for upgrades to safety, signals and communications. Opening it does not show that fraud occurred. It also does not link any misuse of funds to either recent crash.

Three public bodies face checks

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office began the case on its own initiative. Guardia Civil’s UCO unit is helping with the work.

Investigators are seeking information from Adif, the State Railway Safety Agency and the Court of Auditors. Adif runs Spain’s rail network. The safety agency oversees rail rules and operations.

The prosecutor’s office took the rare step of confirming the probe because the case has drawn strong public interest. It has not disclosed the contracts, payments or people under review. It said it would give no more details for now.

The office deals with crimes that may harm the EU budget. Its inquiry is about how the money was used, not why the trains crashed.

A separate probe was already open

A first EU funds case began in March. It concerns €111 million for general upkeep on the same line. That probe followed the January crash near Adamuz, in Córdoba province, which killed 46 people.

The latest case comes after the Urda crash on 28 October. A Renfe train hit the rear of a stationary Iryo train near the Toledo town. The crash killed 69 people.

Spanish courts are handling the causes and any criminal blame. A court in Orgaz has the Urda case, while a court in Montoro has the Adamuz case. Those cases are separate from the EU funds probes.

Safety system work is late

Adif awarded Thales a €93.83 million contract in 2021 for signals and the ERTMS train control system. Work was due to start in 2026. The wider switch from the older LZB system is behind schedule.

A 2025 audit also criticised how Adif answered complaints about contract scores. Adif said its own checks found no breach. EU prosecutors have not said whether that issue forms part of the new case.

The probe adds to pressure on Spain’s rail chiefs. Óscar Puente quit as transport minister after the two crashes. Adif president Luis Pedro Marco de la Peña then stepped down. Carlos Cuerpo is holding the transport post for now and has promised to rebuild trust in high-speed rail.

Spain is due to hold a general election on 29 November. For now, the second EU probe remains an inquiry. No finding of fraud has been made.

Sources: Spain English, BBC News, Euro Weekly News, InSpain.news and The Local Spain.