Cable theft disrupts high-speed trains in Spain, delaying thousands

Thousands of passengers experienced major delays on Spain's high-speed rail network after signaling cables were stolen from four different locations along the line connecting Madrid and Seville, officials reported Monday.

The theft occurred late Sunday and affected dozens of trains, especially as people were returning to Madrid after a long holiday weekend.

On Monday, large crowds gathered at Madrid’s Atocha station, seeking updates from rail staff and departure boards. The state-run rail operator Renfe advised travelers with early morning trains not to come to the station before 8 a.m. to help reduce overcrowding.

Among the frustrated travelers was Alberto Valero, a tourist from Mexico, who had been waiting at the station with his family since early morning. He noted the confusion among passengers from several countries, including France and Portugal, due to the lack of clear communication.

Spain's rail infrastructure company, ADIF, confirmed on social media that the cable theft occurred in the Toledo region, in central Spain. This disruption follows a major power outage the previous week that also paralyzed high-speed rail services in Spain and Portugal, leaving thousands stranded.

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