**An organized copper cable theft led to substantial travel chaos, affecting thousands and prompting urgent investigations.**
**Cable Heist Disrupts Train Services for Thousands in Spain**
**Cable Heist Disrupts Train Services for Thousands in Spain**
**Major rail theft halts services across Spain, leaving passengers stranded.**
In a severe disruption to rail travel, thousands of passengers found themselves trapped on trains or stranded overnight after copper cable thefts halted high-speed services between Madrid and southern Spain's Andalusia region. Transport Minister Óscar Puente expressed outrage, deeming the theft a "serious act of sabotage," as investigations were launched on Monday following the incidents reported on Sunday. The theft occurred at five closely located sites along the high-speed line.
The repercussions of the theft were substantial, with over 10,000 travelers impacted across key routes connecting Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Valencia, and Granada, and around 30 trains affected. Many passengers, including tourists like Kevin from the US, expressed their frustrations while waiting at Madrid's Atocha station, questioning the recent spate of travel disruptions.
This created chaos followed a holiday weekend in Madrid and came just days before the popular Feria festival in Seville, expected to draw even larger crowds. On Monday morning, Minister Puente reassured the public that train operations were being fully restored after a challenging night for commuters and railway staff, who faced an unexpected crisis.
Investigative efforts are currently underway, with Spain's civil guard and police coordinating with national rail manager Adif to uncover the details of the incident and capture those responsible. The rising price of copper in recent years has fueled an uptick in cable thefts targeting transport and telecommunication networks.
The repercussions of the theft were substantial, with over 10,000 travelers impacted across key routes connecting Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Valencia, and Granada, and around 30 trains affected. Many passengers, including tourists like Kevin from the US, expressed their frustrations while waiting at Madrid's Atocha station, questioning the recent spate of travel disruptions.
This created chaos followed a holiday weekend in Madrid and came just days before the popular Feria festival in Seville, expected to draw even larger crowds. On Monday morning, Minister Puente reassured the public that train operations were being fully restored after a challenging night for commuters and railway staff, who faced an unexpected crisis.
Investigative efforts are currently underway, with Spain's civil guard and police coordinating with national rail manager Adif to uncover the details of the incident and capture those responsible. The rising price of copper in recent years has fueled an uptick in cable thefts targeting transport and telecommunication networks.
