A serious act of sabotage involving cable theft has halted rail services in Spain, affecting thousands of travelers. Transport officials are investigating the incident, and service restoration is underway.
Cable Theft Disrupts High-Speed Rail Service for Thousands in Spain
Cable Theft Disrupts High-Speed Rail Service for Thousands in Spain
Spain experiences significant train travel disruptions due to cable theft, impacting travel for over 10,000 passengers while investigations continue.
On May 5, 2025, a significant disruption in Spain’s high-speed rail service has drawn concerns from travel officials after a “serious act of sabotage” led to widespread delays. The incident, identified by transport minister Oscar Puente, caused substantial inconvenience for thousands of travelers, particularly those on the line connecting Madrid and Seville.
According to Puente, the disruption stemmed primarily from thefts of critical cable components. He referred to these events as extremely serious and noted that the Spanish national police force is conducting investigations to address the situation.
The repercussions of the cable theft were compounded by a technical issue; Álvaro Fernández Heredia, president of Renfe, Spain's national rail operator, reported that a train had snagged and dragged the overhead power line, further complicating the scenario for approximately 10,000 passengers who were affected.
This incident is the latest in a series of disturbances, as the country is still trying to recover from a mysterious electricity outage that occurred the previous week. By Monday morning, Puente announced that approximately 70 percent of the high-speed rail services had been restored, with expectations to return to full capacity by the afternoon. Updates will continue as the situation develops.
