Thousands of train passengers across Spain faced significant delays after copper wiring, crucial to the signalling system on the high-speed route between Madrid and Seville, was stolen from five separate locations, authorities reported on Monday.
According to Spanish news outlets, around 10,700 passengers and 30 trains were affected by the disruption.
The thefts, which took place late Sunday night, interrupted train services between Madrid and the southern cities of Seville, Malaga, and Granada—popular routes for those returning to the capital after the extended May Day holiday weekend.
With copper fetching high prices on the global market, the stolen material likely holds considerable value.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente condemned the theft as a “serious act of sabotage” and encouraged citizens to help law enforcement identify those responsible.
Puente posted on social media that full service was expected to resume between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time. However, by early Monday morning, Renfe’s director Álvaro Fernández de Heredia confirmed that all disrupted services had already been restored.
Large crowds gathered at Madrid’s Atocha station, watching departure boards and seeking information from staff about their travel plans.
The incidents occurred at five separate sites along the high-speed rail corridor in Toledo province, located in central Spain. An investigation has been launched by the Guardia Civil.
Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network continues to expand, often traversing remote areas.
This event follows closely on the heels of a major nationwide blackout that recently brought much of the country to a halt, leaving many passengers stuck for hours on trains and subways. Authorities have said it may take several more days to determine the exact cause of that power failure.
