Deadly High-Speed Rail Crash Exposes Cracks in Spain’s Flagship Transport System

Spain’s high-speed rail network, once hailed as a symbol of national progress and modernization, suffered a devastating blow this past Sunday when two trains collided, leaving at least 40 dead and dozens injured. This tragedy casts a long shadow over what was considered one of Europe’s most advanced transportation achievements—a network proudly connecting Spain’s major cities at breathtaking speeds. How Did Spain’s Rail Crown Jewel Turn Into a Scene of Catastrophe? For over three decades, Spain invested heavily in the development of its high-speed AVE ("bird"), transforming the nation’s infrastructure into one rivaling global leaders like Japan and France. The...