The president of Spain’s railway infrastructure manager Adif has resigned over the Toledo rail disaster that left 69 dead and dozens injured.

The decision by Luis Pedro Marco de la Peña came a day after Transport Minister Oscar Puente also stepped down from his role amid mounting pressure.

Marco de la Peña submitted his resignation on Wednesday during a meeting with Carlos Cuerpo, the economy minister, who has temporarily taken over the transport brief.

Government sources confirmed the departure of the civil engineer, who was appointed in 2024 to replace Angel Contreras.

Speaking to RTVE, Cuerpo said Marco de la Peña had given reasons ‘similar to those cited yesterday by minister Puente’ for stepping aside.

He described the resignation as the ‘right decision’ and said he had thanked the outgoing president for his service and technical work leading the infrastructure operator.

Before submitting his resignation, Marco de la Peña chaired a final board meeting that approved a funding framework governing Adif’s relationship with the central government between 2026 and 2030.

The plan provides for €20billion in investment over several years to expand the railway network.

It also sets out a gradual increase in track maintenance spending, reaching €1.8billion annually by the end of the decade.

Marco de la Peña took charge of both Adif and Adif Alta Velocidad after serving as the Basque government’s deputy minister for infrastructure and transport between 2020 and 2024.

His departure leaves the government facing vacancies at the top of both the Transport Ministry and the railway infrastructure operator as it seeks to restore confidence in high-speed rail.

The investigation into the causes of the Toledo disaster continue.