Spanish train drivers strike after deadly accidents

Madrid, Spain: Spanish train drivers began a three day strike on Monday, demanding greater safety for their profession after two accidents claimed 47...

Madrid, Spain: Spanish train drivers began a three-day strike on Monday, demanding greater safety for their profession after two accidents claimed 47 lives last month, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The back-to-back disasters rocked the transportation sector and raised doubts about the safety of train travel in Spain, which boasts the world's second-largest high-speed network after China.

Unions called the February 9-11 strike accusing the authorities of ignoring warnings about the safety of infrastructure and failing to invest enough in the network.

Under minimum service requirements, 73 percent of long-distance services and 65 percent of regional trains are due to run, according to state railway company Renfe.

In suburban services, 75 percent of trains must run at peak hours and half of the normal service during the rest of the day.