A significant incident involving the theft of copper cables along the high-speed train line connecting Madrid and Andalucía has disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers during the extended holiday weekend in early May. On Sunday afternoon, more than 10,000 travelers were impacted when the theft was detected around 6 PM, with additional delays affecting morning services on Monday.

This incident marks one of the most severe disruptions caused by cable theft in recent years.

Both the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, and Renfe's president, Álvaro Fernández Heredia, characterized the event as 'sabotage.'

The theft of copper, reportedly around 150 meters, occurred between Los Yébenes and Manzaneque, in the province of Toledo, impacting the signaling systems of the high-speed rail line.

Minister Puente explained that the cable is crucial for monitoring the tracks, ensuring the safety of high-speed trains that require unobstructed pathways well ahead.

The theft necessitated a reduction in train speeds to 40 kilometers per hour for safety reasons, although services remained operational.

Despite the ongoing service, the situation resulted in cascading delays throughout the day.

Compounding the challenges, a separate incident involving an Iryo train becoming entangled with the overhead catenary lines temporarily halted operations during the Monday morning commute.

Services were restored gradually, with rail travel returning to normal by early afternoon.

These thefts are not isolated events; they have surged across the country.

Data from the Ministry of Interior indicates that arrests related to copper thefts have increased nearly fourfold since 2020, with reported incidents rising 135% since 2019. In 2023 alone, there were 12 documented attacks on critical infrastructure related to railways.

The underlying motivations for such thefts are multifaceted, often revolving around the value of copper in the market, yet in this case, authorities highlighted that the primary objective may have been to disrupt rail services rather than profit.

The Government Special Delegation reported that the market value of the stolen cables was remarkably low, estimated at just 300 euros.

In the wake of the incident, Renfe and other rail operators were quick to respond by adjusting services, including the deployment of additional train carriages to accommodate affected passengers.

Notifications were sent out, advising travelers bound for specific destinations to avoid stations to prevent overcrowding due to significant delays.

As rail companies worked to address the fallout from the incident, the issue of passenger compensation arose.

Standard protocols allow for reimbursement in cases of delays over 30 minutes, yet the designation of the incident as a 'force majeure' could impact compensation claims.

Passenger advocacy groups emphasize that travelers might still seek compensation for incurred expenses such as food and lodging due to the disruptions.

The investigation by the Guardia Civil is ongoing, aiming to determine the specifics surrounding the theft and the potential repeat of similar incidents that have plagued Spain's railway infrastructure.