• Spain's train drivers have announced a three-day strike in February following fatal derailments.
• The most recent accidents have raised significant safety concerns regarding the rail network.
• The government has declared three days of national mourning for the victims of these incidents.
• Transport Minister Oscar Puente has expressed a willingness to negotiate with the union.
• The union has criticized the “constant deterioration” of railway safety standards.

Following two tragic accidents that left at least 44 people dead, Spain's largest train drivers' union, SEMAF, has called for a three-day nationwide strike scheduled for February 9-11. The recent incidents, particularly a high-speed train collision in southern Andalusia, marked the country’s deadliest rail accident in more than a decade. The union emphasizes that this strike is a necessary measure to demand safety assurances and accountability from railway authorities, stating that they have received "numerous reports about the poor state of the tracks" which went unanswered for years, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and The Local.

The strike call follows a harrowing week for Spain's rail network, which has raised serious questions about safety protocols. This week, a commuter train struck a retaining wall in Gelida, resulting in the death of a train driver and injuries to at least 37 passengers. In light of these disasters, the Spanish government initiated three days of national mourning and Transport Minister Óscar Puente has been adamant that while he recognizes the emotional state of the drivers, he believes a strike is not the best approach to address their concerns, according to South China Morning Post and The Local.

The opposition, particularly the Popular Party, has demanded an immediate investigation into the condition of Spain's railways, arguing that the government needs to clarify the safety risks that have emerged. Transport Minister Puente noted that the two recent accidents had no direct connection, attributing the Gelida incident to weather-induced failures, particularly heavy rainfall that may have caused the retaining wall collapse, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Local.

Services across the Catalonia region were suspended as safety checks are being conducted, with a temporary speed limit imposed on parts of the high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona, where train drivers reported ongoing issues. These steps have drawn attention as SEMAF has previously warned about safety threats, arguing that the government’s response has been insufficient, according to South China Morning Post, and The Local.

Investigations are underway to ascertain the causes of these tragic accidents, especially focusing on the integrity of the rail infrastructure, with media indicating significant safety lapses. Minister Puente has stated that proper materials were utilized for rail maintenance, amid accusations of using low-quality resources from unions, asserting that the investigation will clarify these claims, as reported by Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and The Local.