The Civil Guard has interrogated the Adif control center operator who regulated traffic on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line when the catastrophic accident occurred in Urda (Toledo), after the impact between two trains and with at least 68 people deceased.
The interrogation was carried out as part of the investigation opened by the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF), according to investigation sources confirmed to Europa Press. The Civil Guard agents provide support to the CIAF technicians, who are responsible for clarifying the causes of the incident recorded shortly before nine in the morning.
The order to resume the journey, under scrutiny
The accident occurred when a Renfe AVE train hit an Iryo train from behind that was stopped on the track. From that point, the investigation has focused on the decision made from the Adif control center in Atocha, where the Renfe train was ordered to resume its journey despite the system showing a red warning indicating that the convoy ahead was occupying the track.
The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has described that decision as “inexplicable” from the Atocha control center itself, where he went this morning to gather information about what happened. However, that political assessment does not by itself resolve the responsibilities, which are now in the hands of the technical investigation.
The responsible party identified, but the case remains open
Puente has also reported that the person who approved the resumption of the AVE train's journey has been identified and is subject to what the investigation determines. “We have not spoken with him, understand the seriousness of the facts and the responsibilities this may entail,” he added.
For now, the CIAF continues with the proceedings to determine what happened in the minutes leading up to the collision, while the Civil Guard takes statements from people linked to traffic control. The exact sequence of decisions, and the extent of responsibilities, are still pending clarification.