MADRID | INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORT SECURITY – The theft of 150 meters of copper cable from the high-speed rail (AVE) line between Madrid and Andalusia triggered a major transportation crisis on Monday, leaving more than 10,000 travelers stranded and disrupting over thirty trains. The incident occurred in remote areas of the Toledo province and is under investigation by Spain’s Civil Guard as a likely act of sabotage.
Minister of Transport Óscar Puente visited the site in Manzaneque and described the damage as a “deliberate act intended to cause harm.” Several security boxes containing thin-section copper cables—worth only around €300—were vandalized. “There are two possible motives: financial or disruptive. Given the minimal economic value, sabotage is the most plausible explanation,” Puente stated.
🔧 Service Recovery and Government Response
The first train from Madrid to Málaga departed Atocha Station at 9:40 AM, with partial service between Madrid and Toledo resuming at 9:00 AM, according to the Ministry of Transport. By noon, 70% of the high-speed rail service was operational again, with trains running in double composition to accommodate the backlog of passengers.
However, another signaling system failure near AlmodĂłvar del RĂo (CĂłrdoba) in the afternoon caused further average delays of 30 minutes on the Madrid–Seville line.
📉 Economic and Operational Impact
The theft directly compromised the line’s safety systems, forcing trains to reduce speeds to 40 km/h. Additionally, a train operated by Iryo became entangled in the overhead power line when trying to resume operations. Although Iryo denied worsening the situation, the ministry confirmed the incident added to the disruption.
Officials emphasized the disproportionate impact: “Stealing €300 worth of copper caused millions in operational losses, passenger delays, and logistical headaches.”
🧍‍♂️ Chaos at Stations and Passenger Frustration
Hundreds of travelers flooded Madrid-Atocha Station, where National Police set up security barriers and used megaphones to call passengers to boarding platforms. Many had spent the entire night waiting for their trains. Despite Renfe’s advisory asking travelers to avoid the station before 8:00 AM, long lines stretched for hundreds of meters.
Among the stranded was Jesús, a young man from Seville living in Madrid: “We had tickets for the April Fair and received almost no information. It was a mess.”
đź“Ť Context: Critical Infrastructure and Security Gaps
The incident reignites concerns over security in critical infrastructure. The theft occurred in areas with no surveillance cameras and in a section vital to the national rail system—highlighting vulnerabilities in Adif’s operational resilience.
Although service is gradually returning to normal, the operational and reputational consequences remain. Investigators are exploring all scenarios, including a coordinated act of sabotage.