Spain’s largest train drivers’ union has called a three-day nationwide strike in early February, citing serious safety concerns after a series of deadly derailments that have shaken the country’s rail network.

The union, SEMAF, announced the strike for February 9–11, following three derailments in 48 hours that left dozens of people dead, including two train drivers. The action is expected to cause widespread disruption for commuters already struggling to find alternative transport.

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Workers operate heavy machinery as removal works continue following the aftermath of a deadly derailment of two high-speed trains near Adamuz, in Cordoba, Spain, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Ana Beltran TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The most serious incident occurred on Sunday near Adamuz, in the southern province of Cordoba, when two trains collided in one of Europe’s worst rail disasters, killing 43 people. A second fatal crash followed on Tuesday near Gelida, close to Barcelona, when a commuter train derailed after a retaining wall collapsed onto the track during heavy rainfall, killing the driver and seriously injuring four passengers. A third derailment on Barcelona’s regional network the same day caused no injuries and was attributed to a rockfall during the storm.

SEMAF said the accidents marked a “turning point” and demanded immediate measures to guarantee railway safety, warning it would seek criminal liability from those responsible for maintaining infrastructure. The union also said it had warned rail infrastructure operator Adif last August about severe wear and tear on tracks near Adamuz, including potholes, bumps and imbalances in overhead power lines that were causing frequent breakdowns.

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A metal part is seen near the site of a deadly derailment of two high-speed trains near Adamuz, in Cordoba, Spain, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Susana Vera TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Transport Minister Oscar Puente said investigators were examining a large piece of machinery found near the Adamuz crash site, which could be a missing part of the train’s undercarriage. He ruled out human error as the cause but said the technical reasons for the accident remained complex and had not yet been determined.

Rescue teams at the Adamuz site recovered another body from the wreckage on Wednesday, confirming the death toll at 43. Authorities said the time between the initial derailment and the subsequent collision was just nine seconds, leaving no opportunity for the trains to brake.

Puente said rail services between Madrid and Andalusia, suspended since Sunday’s crash, are expected to resume on February 2. However, Adif has imposed additional speed restrictions on several routes, including the Madrid-Barcelona and Madrid-Valencia lines, following reports of poor track conditions. Regional rail services across Catalonia were also suspended to allow for inspections after recent storms.

While Puente said he would meet union representatives, he added that he did not believe a general strike was the best approach.