Week in News: Train Investigation, Strikes and Protests

Bon dia. Here is your Monday news update. There are several protests and strikes coming up in the next few weeks — I’ve noted them below. Plus, Aemet says more rain is on the way.

Top News Stories

Ademuz Train Disaster Impact

The Ademuz train disaster continues to reverberate across Spain. Investigators are still searching for the cause of the derailment, with attention focused on a break in the rail line that caused the train to jump the tracks. Notably, a Valencia-bound train detected anomalies on the same stretch of rail just hours before the accident. Las Provincias has a strong visual explainer laying out what is known so far.

In a related report, Las Provincias notes that Spain’s rail system averages more than 130 rail breaks per year, though these are typically detected and repaired before causing accidents.

Transport Disruptions Ahead

High-speed trains have reduced operating speeds after drivers reported incidents along the line. The Valencia–Madrid route was hit last week by a “cascade” of delays, according to Levante-EMV. Speed restrictions will remain in place until safety checks are completed.

A national train drivers’ strike is scheduled for February 9–11, with disruption expected for Valencia residents and travelers. Valencia Extra has details on what to expect.

Other Protests and Strikes Coming Up

26 January – Farmers will bring tractors into Valencia to protest the Mercosur trade agreement. Expect road closures and traffic delays around the city. Transit Valencia has a link to the route.

31 January – Protest calling for the prosecution of former Generalitat President Carlos Mazón over his handling of the 2024 DANA floods. Expect disruptions in the city center.

16–20 February – Doctors’ strike over working conditions. Non-emergency medical services may face delays or rescheduling.

Weather Alerts & Environmental Risk

Strong storms continue to batter the Valencian Community. Last week, Storm Harry tore away the front terrace of a beachfront building in Tavernes de la Valldigna, reports Las Provincias. Residents were evacuated, and the close call has renewed calls for an artificial reef to reduce storm impact—and debate over who should pay—according to El Mundo.

There is a government plan to regenerate the beach, but it has been stalled for years, reports Las Provincias.

Meanwhile, Mediterranean waters continue to warm. Levante-EMV reports Valencia’s coastal waters have reached 20.5°C — the highest recorded since 1940.

Just days later, Storm Ingrid swept through the region with wind gusts exceeding 100–120 km/h, forcing the closure of some parks and gardens. Las Provincias has more. Additional rain is expected early this week.

City & Economy

Maintaining the Turia River Park now costs €35 million per year, writes Las Provincias. At the same time, the city is struggling to water thousands of newly planted trees due to limited resources, reports Levante-EMV.

Employment is rising and the economy is growing, reports Valencia Plaza, yet people continue to leave in search of better opportunities.

Housing pressure may be one reason. Valencia Plaza examines how rapid population growth is straining housing, transport, and public services—highlighting how 1980s-era urban planning is struggling to keep up.

At the same time, foreign self-employed workers now account for more than 70% of new autónomo registrations, reports Valencia Plaza, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Crime & Policing

Police are also investigating the killing of a 13-year-old boy in Sueca, reports Las Provincias. The suspect turned himself in, covered in blood, and admitted to the stabbing, but the motivation remains unclear.

A drug trafficking ring allegedly operating out of the Port of Valencia has been acquitted on a technicality, reports Valencia Plaza. The court ruled that key intercepted digital messages were inadmissible as evidence.

Changing Culture

Valencia’s bullring has been searching unsuccessfully for a new director to train a new generation of bullfighters, Levante-EMV reports — a sign of the tradition’s waning appeal. While bullfighting faces growing opposition from animal-rights activists and declining public interest, it remains protected under Spain’s cultural heritage laws, as El País explains.

In a separate look at shifting social norms, Las Provincias charts the decline and closure of companies like El Cobrador del Frac, once notorious for using public shaming as a debt collection tactic. Collectors, dressed in formal wear and top hats, would appear unannounced at workplaces, restaurants, or other public settings to pressure debtors by turning unpaid bills into a public spectacle — a practice increasingly viewed as unacceptable.