A new cable theft leaves hundreds of passengers affected by delays on the high-speed line between Madrid and Andalusia this Sunday. This is the fifth incident of this kind in just nine days in the southern corridor.
The high-speed line between Madrid and Andalusia has suffered another cable theft this Sunday, the fifth in just nine days. The theft occurred between the Ciudad Real towns of Venta de la Inés and Brazatortas, as confirmed by Adif, which has forced maintenance teams to work against the clock to restore the service.
Passengers travelling this Sunday from Puerta de Atocha station have experienced delays of up to an hour, according to sources from Renfe. The company has provided real-time information through its official channels, but the sense of helplessness among travellers was palpable.
“It’s incredible that this happens over and over again. I’ve been waiting for an hour and no one is giving clear explanations,” lamented a traveller on the platform.
A wave of thefts that doesn’t stop
This Sunday was not an isolated incident. Last Friday, another cable theft between Mora and Orgaz (Toledo) affected the signalling systems and caused delays on the Madrid-Toledo and Madrid-Andalusia trains. Two days earlier, on Wednesday, Adif reported a similar incident between Ciudad Real and Malagón. The same stretch had already been targeted on Tuesday and Saturday of the previous week, causing delays of up to two hours.
In total, five thefts in nine days on the same corridor. The recurrence has raised alarms among users, who wonder how it is possible that more effective measures have not been taken. For the resident of the Community of Madrid who frequently uses this line, the situation has become unsustainable: every journey is a mystery.
Security measures and tougher penalties
Adif has assured this week that it will strengthen surveillance on the line with its own patrols, increasing from three to five, along with forces from the State Security Corps. However, the question travellers are asking is why action was not taken earlier, when the problem is recurrent and perfectly identified.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, led by Óscar Puente, has announced a proposal to toughen penalties for cable theft. The reform of Article 240 of the Penal Code would incorporate an aggravated subtype of theft with force, punishable by two to six years in prison, when the theft affects railway circulation or service.
“We cannot allow insecurity on the high-speed network to jeopardise thousands of citizens every week,” ministry sources stated.
For the Madrid traveller planning a trip to Andalusia, the recommendation is clear: check the status of the line before leaving home. Meanwhile, the feeling of déjà vu repeats itself: another Sunday, another theft, another delay. The high-speed line is living its own 'Groundhog Day', and passengers are trapped in the loop.
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