# AESF Warned of Inadequate Emergency Communication Before Urda Rail Tragedy State safety agency highlighted critical failures in emergency protocols between train drivers and controllers. - **Source:** [La Vanguardia](https://www.lavanguardia.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/acca5b04-5b2a-401e-98c1-37f066fee456 ## Pre-accident safety warnings Following the tragic collision between an AVE and an Iryo train in Urda, Toledo, which resulted in 69 fatalities, attention has shifted to prior safety warnings. The State Railway Safety Agency (AESF) issued a technical resolution in April 2026, explicitly expressing concern regarding inadequate communication protocols during emergency rail situations. ## Prioritizing emergency contact The AESF resolution highlighted that communication between train drivers and the infrastructure manager’s circulation controller was not being prioritized. The agency warned that failing to establish immediate contact creates unacceptable delays and significant risk. Drivers possess direct radiotelephony equipment, yet these tools were not consistently used as the primary emergency channel. ## Regulatory compliance gaps Referencing EU Regulation 2019/773, the AESF reminded operators that emergency calls must be the priority channel for both drivers and controllers. The agency lamented that recent incident analyses revealed these procedures were frequently ignored. Consequently, the AESF demanded the definitive implementation of these protocols into all official railway operating manuals. ## Operational speed restrictions The regulatory framework mandates that upon receiving an emergency alert, drivers must immediately reduce speed to a level appropriate for visual navigation. Furthermore, trains ordered to stop cannot resume movement without explicit authorization from the circulation controller. Other trains in the vicinity must continue at restricted speeds until notified that danger has passed. ## Technical communication capabilities The AESF emphasized that railway radiotelephony equipment offers specific technical advantages over standard communication methods. These systems allow for priority signaling and simultaneous information broadcasts to all trains within a specific sector. Such features are critical for managing emergencies, yet the agency found these capabilities were underutilized in recent operational incidents. ## Risks of unauthorized movement Beyond communication failures, the AESF identified dangerous practices where drivers proceeded or reversed after signal overruns without consulting controllers. Such unauthorized movements lack the protection provided by signaling systems and interlocking mechanisms. These actions occur without the oversight of the controller, potentially leading to conflicts with other trains operating nearby. ## Updating previous directives The 2026 technical recommendation was designed to update and reinforce a previous 2023 directive that had already identified these systemic dysfunctions. By reiterating the importance of these protocols, the AESF aimed to force a change in the operational culture of both railway companies and infrastructure managers like Adif regarding safety. ## Implications for rail safety The tragedy in Urda underscores the lethal consequences of failing to adhere to established safety communication standards. The AESF’s warnings highlight a gap between theoretical regulations and daily operational practices. Moving forward, the industry faces intense pressure to ensure that emergency protocols are not just written, but strictly followed by personnel. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20261106/11677838/aesf-alerto-urda-practicas-inadecuadas-comunicacion-emergencias.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._