The railway disaster in Adamuz, in Córdoba province, came as a true shock to the entire country. Forty-two dead, dozens missing—these numbers are not just statistics, but a tragedy that has forced Spaniards to reconsider the state of the national railway network. At a time when Spain’s trains are carrying record numbers of passengers and the market is open to new operators, concerns about infrastructure quality and the adequacy of investment have become particularly pressing.
In recent days, rail investments have once again become a top topic of discussion. Not only because of the accident itself, but also due to ongoing issues: delays, disruptions, and aging infrastructure. Spaniards are already used to summer trains running late and complaints about track conditions becoming the norm. But now, with tragedy turning into reality, discussions about railway funding and maintenance have taken on a whole new tone.
Money and consequences
The decline in investment in the railway network remains a pressing issue. The peak of funding came in 2008–2009, when up to 8 billion euros per year were allocated for infrastructure development. But by 2012, funding had sharply decreased, reaching a historic low of just over 1.6 billion in 2016. Since then, despite some attempts to boost spending, investments have never returned to previous levels.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that since 2020, Spain’s rail transport market has been open to competition. New companies have entered the tracks, train frequency has increased, and pressure on the rail network has grown. However, despite the surge in passenger numbers, infrastructure investment has failed to keep pace with these changes. In 2023, nearly 4 billion euros were allocated to the railways—significantly less than during the ‘golden’ years.
Between construction and maintenance
Spain has a penchant for building new infrastructure, but often neglects the importance of maintaining what already exists. This is exactly what railway unions are pointing out: according to them, conventional lines have long been worn out, and now problems are starting to emerge on high-speed routes as well. However, the section under Adamuz was completely renovated just eight months before the tragedy. Major construction companies carried out the work, and the contract exceeded 52 million euros.
Nevertheless, even new tracks cannot guarantee safety if regular maintenance is overlooked. Spain’s railways were once renowned for their precision and reliability, but now passengers are increasingly facing delays and technical disruptions. In June 2025, lateness on some routes reached 84%—a figure that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago.
Liberalization and Wear
With the arrival of new operators like Ouigo and Iryo, competition has intensified and the number of trains on the lines has reached record highs. This has led to accelerated wear of the tracks and equipment. Many trains have long been in need of upgrades, but in the case of the Adamuz accident, it involved a brand-new train released in 2022 that had passed inspection just three days before the tragedy.
Questions remain: if the equipment is new and the section of track was recently repaired, why did the disaster occur? There is still no answer. Officials emphasize that neither safety systems nor other trains on this stretch recorded any malfunctions. But the fact remains—even the most advanced technologies cannot always prevent tragedy.
Restrictions and protests
Alongside the investigation into the Adamuz crash, strict speed limits have been imposed on another section between Madrid and Barcelona. The reason: complaints from drivers about the condition of the tracks. Now, trains are forced to travel at no more than 160 km/h, nearly doubling journey times. This is the first response to the tragedy, but unlikely to be the last.
Engineers had long warned about issues on the line, demanding speed reductions and repairs. In the Adamuz incident, both trains were traveling well below the allowed limit—205 and 210 km/h when the maximum permitted is 250. Nevertheless, the catastrophe occurred on this stretch, which was considered safe.
The investigation continues
The official investigation into the causes of the accident is expected to be lengthy and complex. All scenarios remain on the table—from technical malfunctions to possible design or maintenance errors. Human error has been virtually ruled out, as modern safety systems automatically correct the driver’s actions in case of mistakes.
While experts analyze the data, the country awaits answers. Why did tragedy strike on a recently upgraded section with a new train? How much longer will passengers’ lives be at risk due to outdated or poorly maintained infrastructure? Spain’s railway system stands at a crossroads, and the cost of delay is simply too high.
