The European Union has launched an official investigation into the potential misuse of funds designated for the renovation of a Spanish railway line. This inquiry follows a catastrophic train crash on the Madrid-Seville high-speed route that resulted in the deaths of 69 people in October. The disaster, which occurred when a state-operated Renfe train collided with a stationary Iryo train near the village of Urda, approximately 130 kilometres south of Madrid, has become a focal point of national concern ahead of Spain's upcoming general election.
European prosecutors confirmed on Friday that the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Madrid is currently conducting investigative measures at several key Spanish institutions. These include the Administrator of Railway Infrastructure (ADIF), the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF), and the Court of Auditors. The investigation centers on allegations of fraud involving EU funding meant for upgrading safety, communications, and signaling systems on the specific stretch of track where the tragedy took place.
This probe is not an isolated effort, as European prosecutors revealed that a separate investigation was already initiated in March. That earlier case followed a different accident in the southern province of Andalusia, which claimed 46 lives. Authorities noted that Spanish police are providing support for the current investigation. In an official statement, the EPPO noted that this confirmation was made due to intense public interest, though they emphasized that no further details would be released while the investigation is ongoing.
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