Thousands of travelers were left stranded on trains, with many forced to spend the night at stations after a series of copper cable thefts halted high-speed rail services in Spain. The incidents disrupted rail connectivity between Madrid and the southern Andalusia region, impacting over 10,000 passengers across various cities including Seville, Malaga, Valencia, and Granada.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente labeled the theft a "serious act of sabotage," noting that the cables were taken from five locations near each other on the high-speed rail line. Following this theft on Sunday, authorities have initiated an investigation and stated that train operations were "fully restored" as of Monday morning.
The disruption comes on the heels of a national blackout that also affected train services a week prior, with the cause still under investigation. Passengers expressed confusion and concern, noting the challenges posed by frequent travel disruptions in recent weeks.
Officials mentioned that the theft locations were in secluded areas accessed via forest trails, which complicates tracking down the responsible parties. The Spanish Civil Guard and police are working in collaboration with railway authorities to investigate the theft and apprehend those involved.
The surge in cable theft reflects a broader trend, as the rising price of copper has led to an increase in such criminal activities targeting not only trains but also telecommunications networks. The situation continues to evolve as Spain seeks to reinforce its rail infrastructure against future attacks.
