Tens of thousands of travelers were stranded on trains or at stations overnight after thieves stole copper cables, disrupting high-speed rail services between Madrid and the southern region of Andalusia. The incident affected at least 30 trains and over 10,000 passengers traveling between Madrid and cities like Seville, Málaga, and Granada in Andalusia, as well as Valencia in the east.
Investigation Underway
Spanish authorities launched an investigation on Monday following the theft, which occurred on Sunday. Oscar Puente, the Minister of Transport, condemned the act as a “serious act of sabotage.” The cables were stolen from five locations within a 2-3 km radius along the high-speed rail route, causing the suspension of train services on Sunday. However, restoration efforts were completed by Monday.
The recent theft is part of a larger trend. Copper prices have surged in recent years, leading to an increase in cable thefts from trains and telecommunications networks. Just last week, Spain and Portugal experienced a massive nationwide power outage, which also disrupted many train services. The cause of the outage remains unclear.
Impact on Rail Services
The theft has significant consequences for Spain’s rail network. High-speed trains are a vital part of the country’s transportation infrastructure, connecting major cities and regions. The disruption caused by the theft has left many passengers stranded, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to criminal activity.
- At least 30 trains were affected by the theft.
- Over 10,000 passengers were stranded.
- Services were disrupted between Madrid and several cities in Andalusia and Valencia.
The source of this information is bbc.