Cable Theft Cripples Spain’s High-Speed Rail Network

Tens of thousands of travelers faced major disruptions after coordinated cable thefts paralyzed Spain’s high-speed rail system on Sunday evening through Monday morning, Anadolu Agency reported.

Thieves stole low-value cables at four strategic locations along the Madrid-Seville line—areas deliberately chosen for their lack of surveillance cameras.

The sabotage stranded 30 trains carrying 10,700 passengers, with some travelers enduring 15-hour delays. Renfe, Spain’s rail operator, suspended services to Toledo, Puertollano, and Andalusia until 8 am local time, with partial resumption only after 9:30 am. One train’s mechanical failure further compounded the crisis by damaging overhead power lines.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente condemned the act as “sabotage,” noting the minimal economic gain for thieves versus massive societal impact. The incident follows a near-nationwide blackout just days prior, which had already disrupted rail services. Passengers like RNE reporter Jesús Navarro described being towed by diesel locomotives as a “tremendous morning.” Irregular services continued as authorities investigated the highly coordinated thefts.