Minister Blames Coordinated Sabotage for Rail Disruptions Following Cable Theft
Transport Minister Óscar Puentes has described a series of railway incidents that took place on Sunday as coordinated sabotage, following the theft of signaling cables that disrupted travel for at least 10,700 passengers and halted 30 trains throughout the province of Toledo. The high-speed rail line connecting Madrid and Seville was particularly affected by this crime, which Puentes characterized as a calculated act rather than simple theft due to its execution and timing.
In an interview with Cadena SER, Puentes elaborated that the theft targeted low-value cables that resulted in significant damage—approximately 150 meters of railway cable were affected. He emphasized that the individuals behind the act were knowledgeable about railway infrastructure, noting that they chose locations where surveillance cameras were absent. "Whoever did this knew what they were doing; the economic gain from this operation is negligible compared to the chaos it has caused," he stated.
The theft occurred at four separate locations in the municipalities of Los Yébenes and Manzaneque, just days after a nationwide blackout left trains stranded and travelers in distress. Puentes highlighted the organized nature of the act, suggesting that the timing, coinciding with the return of many holiday travelers after the May 1st break, indicated a strategic decision by the perpetrators. "These thefts are timed for maximum impact," he noted, reinforcing the idea that it was not a coincidence.
In the wake of these incidents, which bear resemblance to previous cable thefts in Catalonia during an electoral period, the Transport Minister indicated that security measures would need enhancement to protect critical infrastructure. He encouraged citizens to help by reporting any relevant information to the authorities. Adif, the company responsible for managing railway infrastructure, is working with the Civil Guard to investigate the matter, and security patrols have been deployed to document the occurrences and take necessary legal action.
Meanwhile, the local mayor of Los Yébenes, Jesús Pérez, expressed grave concerns about the incident, asserting that the operation showed a high degree of planning and knowledge. He noted that two distinct theft points were identified within just 500 meters of each other and highlighted that the theft occurred near Adif’s control facilities, indicating that the culprits were well-informed about the area. In a chilling reminder of previous incidents, Pérez referenced a gang that had systematically dismantled 14 kilometers of high-tension cables for copper theft in 2024, underlining the potential for organized gangs to target the region strategically.
According to Pérez, though the cable theft occurred at a distance from the urban center, the breach of security fences to access the railway lines raises questions about the safety and integrity of the infrastructure. Surveillance measures in place had not detected any unusual activities during the time of the theft, further complicating the investigation. "We must treat this act of sabotage seriously, as it clearly demonstrates a methodical approach by those involved," he concluded.
As investigations continue, residents and officials alike hope that enhanced security measures will deter similar offenses in the future, ensuring the safety and reliability of the rail systems crucial for connectivity across the region.
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