Authorities probe the brazen theft as over 10,000 passengers are affected; services disrupted amid fears of rising cable theft incidents.
Train Services Resumed After Thieves Halt High-Speed Travel in Spain
Train Services Resumed After Thieves Halt High-Speed Travel in Spain
A series of copper cable thefts has disrupted high-speed train services across Spain, stranding thousands of passengers.
High-speed train services between Madrid and southern Spain's Andalusia region faced significant disruption over the weekend following the theft of copper cables from multiple locations. Transport Minister Óscar Puente condemned the theft as a "serious act of sabotage," emphasizing that the incidents occurred in close proximity at five different sites along the critical transport line.
The roughly 10,000 affected passengers experienced delays and were left stranded on trains or left without options for overnight accommodation, particularly distressing considering the timing coincided with a recent holiday weekend and the upcoming Feria festival in Seville. Many, like US tourist Kevin, expressed their frustrations while waiting at Madrid's Atocha station.
Operations to restore travel services were underway on Monday, with authorities reporting full resumption by the afternoon. Puente acknowledged the challenges faced by commuters and staff during the disruption. The areas where the thefts occurred are reported to be accessible only via forest trails, complicating the investigation.
The surge in copper prices has led to a dramatic increase in cable theft incidents across the country, with the Spanish civil guard and police working closely with the national rail manager, Adif, to identify the suspects behind the thefts. This incident follows a recent blackout affecting Spain and Portugal, further raising concerns about the security of transport and electrical networks in the region.
