In a significant development affecting Spain's transportation system, officials reported that a series of cable thefts has severely disrupted high-speed rail services, stranding thousands of passengers. Oscar Puente, the country’s transport minister, condemned the incident as a “serious act of sabotage,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation affecting transit operations between Madrid and Seville.
The thefts led to significant operational challenges, as noted by Álvaro Fernández Heredia, the president of Renfe, Spain's national rail company. In addition to the stolen cables, a train snagged and accidentally tore down an overhead power line, exacerbating the chaos and affecting over 10,000 travelers.
As efforts to rectify the disarray unfolded, train services saw a gradual restoration, with Puente reporting that around 70 percent of the operations returned to normal by Monday morning. Full service is expected to resume by the afternoon as authorities continue to assist those impacted.
This incident marks yet another disruption in Spain's transportation sector, which is still recovering from a recent unexplained electricity outage. The Spanish national police are actively investigating the cable thefts as transit officials remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of public transport.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
