Spanish train drivers strike after deadly crashes
The gist
Spanish train drivers struck nationwide, with about 40% of long- and medium-distance trains cancelled, Renfe said.
The walkout follows two fatal crashes on the same Madrid-Seville high-speed line this year.
How it unfolded
- Jan 18, 2026A high-speed collision in southern Spain killed dozens; sources give tolls ranging from at least 43 to 46.
- Jan 20, 2026Two days later, a commuter train derailed near Barcelona after a containment wall fell on the track following heavy rains, killing a driver and injuring passengers.
- Jan 21, 2026Spain's largest train drivers' union called for a nationwide strike to demand safety assurances after three derailments.
Key terms
- Renfe
- Spain's national state-owned railway company, created in 2005 to run train services after the infrastructure network was split off.
- Semaf
- A Spanish trade union representing railway engine drivers and their assistants.
Source: Wikipedia