Power Cable Failure Strands 20 High-Speed Trains Madrid, Andalusia Amid Heatwave

Train services faced major disruptions both in Staffordshire, UK, and between Madrid and Andalusia, Spain, due to power cable failures. In Staffordshire, damaged overhead electric cables caused delays on services between Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield, with partial repairs allowing limited service until full restoration expected by Wednesday, and alternative travel options provided for affected passengers. In Spain, a catenary cable malfunction near Yeles and La Sagra halted around 20 high-speed trains and led to additional cancellations, stranding passengers overnight amid a severe heatwave, coinciding with a United Nations conference in Seville. The state-owned railway operator ADIF postponed service resumptions multiple times, citing unknown causes, highlighting vulnerabilities in Spain’s rapidly expanding high-speed network, which had faced a similar disruption due to copper cable theft in May. Emergency services were called to assist stranded passengers in Spain, and multiple operators including Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo have been impacted. Both incidents underscore challenges in maintaining critical rail infrastructure and ensuring reliable service amid technical failures and environmental stresses.