The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has opened an investigation into possible fraud involving EU funds allocated for the renovation of Spain’s Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line, the scene of two deadly accidents this year. The move follows a crash on 28 October near Urda, in the province of Toledo, which killed 69 people, and a separate incident in January on the same route that claimed 46 lives.
According to an EPPO statement, the investigation was initiated on the prosecutor’s own initiative and targets the Administrator of Railway Infrastructure (ADIF), the State Railway Safety Agency, and the Court of Auditors. Spanish authorities have already begun gathering evidence.
“This measure follows the opening of an investigation into possible fraud involving European funds earmarked for the renewal and improvement of safety, signalling and communications systems on the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line,” the EPPO said in a press release.
The EPPO, an independent EU body, investigates crimes affecting the bloc’s financial interests. In 2024, the EU granted €111 million from its Regional Development Fund for the line’s upgrade. The probe is separate from an earlier investigation opened in March into the same renovation project, following the January crash.
Political fallout and compensation
The latest disaster has already had political consequences. Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned after the two accidents, which together killed more than 100 people. The crash could also weigh on the popularity of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of Spain’s general election on 29 November.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport announced on Friday that applications are now open for compensation for victims of the Urda accident, in which a Renfe AVE train crashed into the rear of a stationary Iryo train. In addition to the 69 fatalities, more than 100 people are estimated to have been injured.
Those affected and their families can apply until 5 February 2027, either in person or through the ministry’s online portal. The aid includes non-repayable direct grants to cover immediate needs and advance payments of future compensation.
The EPPO’s investigation underscores broader concerns about the oversight of EU infrastructure spending. As Greek politician George Papandreou has urged, shielding prosecutors from political pressure is vital to ensuring accountability. The case also highlights the human cost of rail safety failures, with all 69 victims of the Urda crash now identified, including citizens from the Czech Republic and the United States.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about how EU funds were used and whether safety upgrades were properly implemented. The EPPO’s role in probing such cases is crucial for maintaining public trust in European institutions and the integrity of the single market.
