EU launches fraud probe into Spain's rail after fatal disaster

:1The investigation heats up as EU prosecutors begin scrutinizing the misuse of funds meant for Spanish railway upgrades following the recent catastrophic crash in Urda.

:2A special unit of the Guardia Civil, working with EU investigators, is currently examining the offices of the Adif rail infrastructure authority and the AESF safety agency.

:3The inquiry targets how EU money was used for improvements on the high-speed line that saw a train derail last week.

:4This crash, which occurred on October 28th, resulted in 69 fatalities and was dubbed one of the worst railway disasters in Europe this century.

:5This investigation is the second fraud inquiry opened into Spain's railway system this year, after a similar high-profile tragedy claimed 46 lives at Adamuz in January.

:6The investigation comes after the Renfe train ploughed into a stationary Iryo vehicle on the Madrid-Seville line. A failed LZB communication system had given the Renfe train a green light to run at full speed, even when the train ahead was stuck. This incident follows another fatal crash on the same route nine months prior, which combined with the Urda disaster, has claimed 115 lives in total.