Spain’s Transport Minister Quits Following Rail Disaster That Left 69 Dead

Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, resigned on Tuesday after the October 28 collision near Urda, south of Madrid, killed at least 69 people and injured dozens. He also withdrew his candidacy for the November 29 early legislative elections, citing “political dignity” and two railway accidents of such severity in less than a year. His departure followed opposition calls for him to accept responsibility, particularly from the People’s Party and Vox, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged that confidence in the rail system was “broken.”