EU public prosecutor's office investigates train accident in Spain

Possible subsidy fraud EU public prosecutor's office investigates after train accident As of: November 6th, 2026 • 4:01 p.m

After the serious train accident in Spain with 69 deaths, the EU public prosecutor's office is investigating possible subsidy fraud. The focus is on funds for rail safety. An investigation was already underway after an accident in January.

Nine days after the serious train accident on the high-speed line between Madrid and Seville, the European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating possible fraud with EU funding. On behalf of the authority, Spanish investigators examined documents from the state rail network operator Adif, the Railway Safety Agency and the Court of Auditors.

The focus is on EU funds that were earmarked for modernizing safety, signaling and communications systems on Spain's busiest high-speed line. Investigators are checking whether there were any irregularities in their use.

A technical defect led to the disaster. And apparently also a misjudgment. more

At the end of October, two trains collided near Urda, south of Madrid. 69 people were killed. According to previous findings, the automatic train protection system had failed. In addition, incorrect instructions from the control center could have contributed to the accident.

In January, 46 people died in a collision between two high-speed trains on the same route near Adamuz in Andalusia. A broken rail is considered the likely cause. Even after this accident, the EU public prosecutor's office initiated investigations into possible subsidy fraud. At that time it was about funding for the renewal of the tracks.

This topic in the program: MDR AKTUELL – The news radio | 11/06/2026 | 3:03 p.m