Spanish transport minister resigns after deadly train crash

Óscar Puente also announces his withdrawal from upcoming election following disaster that killed 69 people

Spain’s transport minister handed in his resignation on Tuesday after the train crash that killed 69 people last week, one of the worst railway disasters in Europe this century.

Óscar Puente, who had earlier pledged to work “tirelessly” to restore confidence in the world’s second-largest high-speed rail network, also said he was withdrawing from the country’s upcoming general election.

Last week’s crash, and another disaster earlier this year, have overshadowed campaigning for the 29 November ballot, in which the Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is trailing in opinion polls.