Spain’s transport minister Óscar Puente resigns over Urda train crash that killed 69

Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente has formally announced his resignation following the train accident in Urda that left 69 people dead and around 200 injured. His decision comes after several weeks of mounting pressure and speculation about his political future. A transport minister from a country like Spain cannot continue in his office with two accidents of this severity in less than a year. No matter how different they are. And whether or not they have direct responsibility, it is a matter of political dignity, coherence and empathy with the victims. My decision, therefore, is a decision of political dignity and, as such, we must see it. It is good for the country and it is good for democracy. During the session, Puente defended the safety of the Madrid-Seville high-speed line where the crash happened, but spokesperson for the Conservative People's Party said the minister's job is not to explain fatal accidents, it's to prevent them. Nine months earlier, 46 people were killed after a train derailed on the same line, near Adamuz. In addition, Puente confirmed that he will not be the PSOE party's candidate in the upcoming general election on November 29th.