EU investigates embezzlement of renovation funds following train accident near Madrid
Following the train accident that killed 69 people, the European Public Prosecutor's Office is examining whether funds intended for safety improvements were embezzled. The investigation is directed against infrastructure operators and authorities.
Investigation into suspected embezzlement of funds
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating suspected embezzlement of EU funds allocated to the railway line between Madrid and Seville, according to rp-online.de. The funds were intended for improvements to safety, signalling systems and communication systems.
Spanish authorities are currently seeking evidence from the state infrastructure operator Adif, the rail safety authority and the Spanish Court of Audit. This is already the second proceeding by the prosecutor's office in connection with EU funds for Spain's busiest high-speed rail line.
Background: two collisions in one year
On 28 October, two long-distance trains collided south of Madrid. The automatic train guidance system had failed; a control centre employee apparently then gave incorrect instructions to the train drivers. 69 people died. Already in January of this year, 46 people had died in a similar collision of two high-speed trains on the same route.
Source: Die Zeit Kriminalität