Spanish train drivers initiated a nationwide strike on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following two fatal collisions earlier in the year on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line that killed a combined total of at least 115 people. The most recent crash on October 28 resulted in 69 deaths, while the January collision claimed 46 lives.
Train Service Cancellations and Passenger Impact
The strike caused widespread disruption, with approximately 40% of long- and medium-distance train services cancelled across Spain. State operator Renfe reported that 4,042 passengers were directly affected by these cancellations on the strike day. The Madrid commuter rail network experienced an even greater impact, with 90% of
Cercanias services suspended. In Barcelona, half of the local train services operated by Rodalies were cancelled.
Operational Disruptions in Madrid and Catalonia
Near Madrid, in the city of Leganes, at least five commuter rail lines became completely non-operational during the strike. Three other lines in this area ran only partially, forcing many commuters to depend on bus alternatives to reach Madrid’s city center. In Catalonia, delays emerged as Rodalies failed to meet minimum service standards. At Masnou station on Barcelona’s outskirts, service was intermittent, leaving only a few passengers waiting for trains.
Background on Crashes, Safety Talks, and Union Demands
Following the first fatal incident in January, discussions between the Spanish train drivers’ union
and the government to improve rail safety commenced. These talks collapsed in April 2026 without resolution. The October 28 crash was caused when a rail controller instructed a Renfe-operated train to proceed despite a signal failure, even though an Iryo train was stopped ahead on the same track. The union called the strike demanding increased investment in infrastructure maintenance and safety measures across the country’s extensive high-speed rail network.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were scheduled to attend the funeral for the latest crash victims at Toledo Cathedral on November 10, 2026. Following the crashes, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
appointed Carlos Cuerpo as interim transport minister after Oscar Puente resigned from the post.
