The vital high-speed train route connecting Andalucia and Madrid will remain suspended until at least early February.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said that the restoration of the line is expected to come on February 2, if ‘things go to plan.’
It comes as the clean up operation and investigation of the deadly Cordoba crash continues, after the death toll rose to 40 on Monday evening.
Speaking to La Sexta, Puente said that the date being considered for the partial restoration of rail services is only provisional and will depend on how technical work at the site progresses.
Puente stressed that the timeframe is indicative and remains subject to change as repairs and inspections continue.
He underlined that the Commission for the Investigation of Railway Accidents is still gathering data and that the analysis remains ongoing.
In a separate appearance on TVE, the minister reiterated that there is still no definitive conclusion regarding the cause of the crash.
Addressing the hypothesis of a track failure, Puente confirmed that a break in the line has been identified, but emphasised that its role in the accident has yet to be established.
‘There is an initial point of breakage from which it is considered the derailment may have occurred, but it must be clarified whether that breakage is the cause or the consequence,’ he said, noting that the impact of the train caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.
The Ministry of Transport is therefore keeping all lines of investigation open while repair work continues in an effort to restore rail traffic between Andalucia and Madrid.
Renfe will activate an Alternative Transport Plan from Tuesday (January 20), to ensure mobility for passengers affected by the crash.
The plan will remain in place for as long as high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalucia remain suspended.
Renfe said it is working to make tickets for these special services available as soon as possible.
The plan combines different modes of transport under a single ticket. Affected passengers will be contacted.
