• Spain's train drivers' union SEMAF calls for a three-day nationwide strike.
• Recent train accidents have raised serious safety concerns within the rail system.
• The latest derailment in Gelida resulted in one death and 37 injuries.
• The recent high-speed train crash resulted in at least 43 fatalities, marking Spain's deadliest train incident in a decade.
• Government and union are at odds over issues of railway safety and the response to the accidents.

Spain's largest train drivers' union, SEMAF, has announced a nationwide strike in response to a series of deadly derailments that have left at least 44 people dead and many more injured. This decision comes after a commuter train derailed in Gelida, near Barcelona, when a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks, killing the driver and injuring 37 passengers on Tuesday. The strike is set to take place over three days in February and is seen as an urgent appeal for improved safety conditions in Spain's rail infrastructure, which has been criticized for its "constant deterioration" according to SEMAF's statements, as referenced from Reuters, Aljazeera, and SCMP.

The recent incidents, including a collision between two high-speed trains that killed 43 people in Andalusia, have ignited broader concerns about railway safety, particularly after several warnings from the union about the poor state of the tracks. SEMAF declared that the situations reflected a dire need for accountability and improvements in the maintenance of the railway system, stating, "this is too much," in reference to the mounting number of safety issues, citing Aljazeera and Reuters.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente has acknowledged the emotional toll these accidents have taken on train drivers but has argued against the strike, insisting that the rail network represents a crucial public transport system. He stated, “we cannot nor should we question our network,” even as investigations into the accidents reveal potential structural failures. He emphasized that the two derailments were unrelated and attributed the collapse of the retaining wall to adverse weather conditions, as reported by SCMP.

Services throughout Catalonia remain suspended while thorough safety inspections are conducted, addressing public concerns that have risen in light of the recent accidents. Commuters have expressed fears about traveling on high-speed trains, with testimonies from passengers reporting instability during their journey. Raluca Maria Pasca, a traveler, noted that high-speed trains “have been shaking lately,” indicating that passengers are keenly aware of safety concerns, according to Reuters and Aljazeera.