Spain requests help from Brussels to carry out the investigation of the Urda accident

Spain has requested assistance from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to investigate the recent train accident in Urda, which resulted in 69 fatalities. The European Commissioner for Transport, Apóstolos Tzitzikostas, confirmed that ERA will provide necessary technical support while emphasizing that the investigation remains under Spanish authority. The independent body responsible for the investigation, AITAT, initiated the request for assistance. Tzitzikostas expressed concern over the impact of two major train accidents in Spain within a year on traveler confidence and reiterated the importance of safety in all transport modes. He also highlighted the EU's commitment to promoting rail transport as part of its carbon reduction strategy and called for the rapid deployment of the ERTMS safety system across all lines.