MADRID, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said on Friday that its Madrid office has launched a second investigation into possible fraud involving EU funds for the maintenance and upgrading of Spain's Madrid-Seville high-speed railway line.
According to an EPPO statement, investigators are carrying out investigative measures at Spain's railway infrastructure manager ADIF, the Spanish Railway Safety Agency (AESF) and the Court of Auditors. The investigation is supported by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Spanish Civil Guard and was initiated by the EPPO on its own initiative.
The investigation concerns EU funds allocated to the upgrading of the Madrid-Seville high-speed railway line, including its safety, signalling and communication systems. A deadly train crash occurred near Urda, in the province of Toledo, on Oct. 28, on the same railway line.
The EPPO launched its first investigation in March 2026 into possible fraud involving EU funds for railway maintenance near Adamuz, where a train accident in January killed 46 people.
The EPPO said it had exceptionally decided to confirm the opening of the investigation given the high level of public interest, adding that it would not disclose further details at this stage. ■