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Train drivers call a general strike from February 9 to 11 following train accidents in Adamuz and Gelida
The Union of Railway Drivers has warned of declining safety standards and announced legal action against those responsible for infrastructure and operations problems
Train drivers across Spain have called a three-day general strike from February 9 to 11 in response to the recent rail accidents in Adamuz (Córdoba) and Gelida (Barcelona). The strike action has been announced by the Spanish Union of Railway Drivers (Semaf), which says the walkout will affect all companies operating within the Spanish railway sector.
In a strongly worded statement, Semaf said its members are “devastated” by the two incidents and accused the authorities of allowing a “constant deterioration of the railway”. The union is demanding urgent measures to guarantee the safety and reliability of both the network and the trains that operate on it, warning that current conditions put both professionals and passengers at risk.
Semaf has also revised the number of train drivers who lost their lives in the two accidents, stating that three drivers were killed. Until now, official sources had confirmed two deaths, one of them a trainee involved in the second accident.
According to the union, a third driver died after travelling as a passenger on one of the trains. Semaf has announced that it will seek criminal accountability from those responsible for ensuring the safety of railway infrastructure and rolling stock.
Legal action
The union describes the accidents as a “turning point” and says they have prompted the launch of all necessary legal procedures to organise strike action across the sector.
“All necessary actions must be taken to guarantee the safety of railway operations,” the statement said.
Semaf has also condemned the release of recorded conversations between the train driver involved in the Adamuz crash and the control centre. It said it will examine legal options to demand a judicial investigation into how those recordings were leaked.
As for the accident in Gelida, the union stressed the need to establish specific prevention protocols for weather-related emergencies, particularly in areas with a history of similar incidents, arguing that lessons must be learned to prevent further accidents linked to adverse weather conditions.
Among its demands, Semaf insists that rail services in Catalonia should not resume until sufficient safety guarantees are in place. It also wants the same precautionary approach to be applied across the entire network in situations caused by severe weather or other exceptional risks.
“We are going to call a general strike across the entire sector to give legal standing and support to the mobilisations of workers and users, in order to demand that the safety and reliability of the network be guaranteed,” the union said.
The statement adds that, before starting any service, train drivers from all companies will require assurances from the traffic manager that conditions along the route are safe. Where such guarantees cannot be provided, services will be adapted to the actual state of the infrastructure.
Finally, Semaf advised railway workers who feel unable to work due to the emotional impact of recent accidents to inform their supervisors, acknowledging the psychological toll the tragedies have taken on staff across the network.
Image: jose1997422
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