Spanish train drivers began a strike on Tuesday, demanding additional investments in maintenance and safety following the second fatal accident recorded this year on the country's railway network. The stoppage caused major disruptions to public transport, with about 40% of long- and medium-distance services cancelled, affecting 4,042 passengers, according to state-owned Renfe.
In the capital, Madrid, 90% of urban trains stopped, while in Barcelona, half of local services were interrupted. The situation caused chaos at major stations, such as Atocha, where passengers were forced to use buses for transportation. Negotiations to improve safety had been abandoned in April, even after a previous accident in southern Spain that killed 46 people.