Leaked recordings show controller ordered train to speed up before deadly crash

Leaked recordings show a Madrid rail controller told a Renfe AVE high‑speed train to "resume normal operations" just minutes before it plowed into a stationary Iryo train, killing at least 69 people. The crash happened on the Madrid‑Seville line on Wednesday morning at 8.53 am. A signalling system called LZB failed, stopping eight trains on the line and forcing operators to switch to manual control. Transport professor Carlos Gutiérrez Hita noted a series of LZB outages in the weeks before the disaster. After the halt, the controller said "la marcha normal" to the Renfe driver, who asked "Normal operations?" and was told "Yes." The instruction meant the train could run at up to 200 km/h, far faster than the cautious 40 km/h used during a signal outage. Meanwhile, the Iryo driver reported a loss of transmission at 8.41 am and remained stopped at the Urda entrance signal. At 8.48 am the controller urged her to move as soon as possible, saying "If you have a problem, call us." The two trains collided five minutes later. Union leaders condemned the leaks and blamed a lack of proper equipment for human error, demanding Transport Minister Óscar Puente resign. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promised a full inquiry and safety upgrades, citing another high‑speed derailment in January that killed 46. People's Party chief Alberto Núñez Feijóo halted his campaign during the mourning period and pressed the government for answers. The crash comes as Spain heads to a national election on 29 November, with about 25 million passengers using high‑speed services last year. ## Context