Madrid-Galicia rail line fully functional according to Puente, but remains unopened due to the nearby fire's closeness
Railway Service Between Madrid and Galicia Suspended for Fourth Day Due to Wildfires
The high-speed train service between Madrid and Galicia has been suspended for four consecutive days due to large forest fires affecting parts of Galicia and Castile. This marks the first time such prolonged disruption has occurred on this route because of wildfires [1][3].
The fires, particularly near the province of Ourense, forced authorities to halt rail traffic to ensure passenger safety amid threatening flames and smoke close to residential and industrial areas [4]. The ongoing heat wave and extreme fire risk conditions across Spain contributed to the severity and scale of these fires [1][2].
The suspension has significantly impacted transportation by:
- Halting a critical high-speed rail connection between Madrid and Galicia, affecting thousands of travelers and freight transport.
- Prompting authorities and rail operators to arrange alternative transport, including deploying 65 buses to cover parts of the affected rail route (Zamora to Ourense) [1].
- Leading Renfe (the national rail operator) to allow free ticket cancellations and exchanges and provide amenities such as hotel rooms and food kits to affected passengers [1].
- Causing widespread road closures (at least 11 across Spain) that compounded travel difficulties for those relying on road transport alongside rail suspensions [1][5].
This disruption highlights the broader challenges posed by increasing wildfire frequency and intensity, linked to climate change and record-breaking temperatures, which are creating unprecedented risks for infrastructure and communities across Spain [2][5]. Efforts to contain the fires include deploying hundreds of extra troops and international firefighting assistance under European cooperation agreements [2].
The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Oscar Puente, has acknowledged that this is the first time a high-speed line has been closed for 3 consecutive days [3]. However, he has stated that the route between Madrid and Galicia is 100% operational [6]. Renfe, on the other hand, is waiting for authorization from competent authorities to restart the service between Madrid and Galicia [4][5].
Adif, the infrastructure manager for Spanish railways, maintains an inspection machine active 24/7 to verify the state of the route between Madrid and Galicia. No date has been provided for the resumption of the railway service between Madrid and Galicia due to the proximity of fires and the lack of permission from civil protection for the high-speed line service to be provided [7].
The timeline for service resumption remains uncertain pending fire control and safety assessments [2]. In the meantime, passengers are advised to check the Renfe website or contact customer service for the latest updates on service resumption.
- The suspension of the high-speed train service between Madrid and Galicia has affected both passengers and freight transport within the transportation industry.
- The ongoing disruption in railway service, caused by wildfires, is causing anxieties in the finance sector as it may result in financial losses for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on this specific route for their operations.
