Podcast Summary: Más de uno – Tertulia: Prisa por escoger un bando

Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Date: January 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is heavily focused on the recent railway accidents in Spain—most notably the Adamuz high-speed derailment and the Yélida Rodalíes (Barcelona commuter rail) crash. Through news updates, an interview with the mayor of Yélida, and a panel discussion with journalists and commentators, the program explores not only the specifics and causes of these accidents but also the reactions of railway workers, the public's loss of confidence, and the political and informational dynamics at play.

Tone throughout the episode mixes Alsina’s characteristic rigor and humor, a sense of urgency, and at times, emotional engagement—especially when family members of victims appear.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Latest on Railway Accidents

• Adamuz High-Speed Accident: The gravest accident since Angrois (2013) in the Spanish railway network. The discussion covers technical details, current investigations, possible causes, and the communication protocol in emergencies ([00:09]–[07:00], [31:37]–[41:47]).
• Yélida Rodalíes Crash: Attributed to intense rainfall causing a collapse of a retaining wall just as a train was passing. Includes an interview with Yélida’s mayor, Lluís Bals, updating rescue efforts and service status ([16:27]–[19:13]).

2. Reaction and Demands from Train Drivers (SEMAF)

• SEMAF, the main drivers' union, expresses devastation and calls the situation “inadmissible.” They announce withdrawal from the media, threaten a sector-wide strike, and demand penal accountability for those responsible for security ([00:54], [19:35]).
• The union insists on strict enforcement: If safety guarantees are absent, maquinistas should reduce speed or suspend service altogether ([00:55], [19:35], [25:05]).

“Vamos a exigir responsabilidad penal a las personas encargadas de garantizar esa seguridad. [...] si no está garantizada la seguridad de los maquinistas, del personal y de los viajeros, lo que hay que hacer es suspender el servicio.” — Carlos Alsina reading SEMAF statement [00:55]

3. Communication Failures and Public Trust

• Critique of Adif (rail operator) and the Ministry of Transport for lack of transparency—important information about speed reductions and safety reviews has not been communicated officially, leading to confusion and public anxiety ([25:05], [26:27], [41:47], [53:43]).
• Questions raised about why speed limit reductions are only implemented now and not when initial warnings from workers came in August ([11:33], [38:15]).

“No nos han estado explicando bien las medidas que se han tomado [...], que se estén enterando medios de comunicación con sus fuentes y no a través de comunicados oficiales, que nos digan por qué se está tomando la decisión que se toma...” — Marta García Ayer [25:05]

4. Politics of Narrative & Responsibility

• Panelists emphasize the rapid political weaponization of the accidents. There’s criticism of both the government (for focusing on narrative management) and opposition (for seeking to capitalize on blame).
• Discussion about the relationship between infrastructure problems, liberalization of the network, and whether the system is structurally under stress ([38:15], [41:47]).

“Yo quiero información técnica. [...] No quiero ministros interesados, sino técnicos.” — Carmen Morodo [26:27]

“Esta legislatura ha sido de ganar el relato.” — John Müller [38:15]

5. Human Impact: Voices of the Affected

• Emotional call from Rosa, a listener, who lost both her husband and her sister in the same week, the latter in the Adamuz accident. Her testimony brings a human dimension to the tragedy ([54:54]–[61:13]).

“Aquí en Huelva la gente está destrozada porque eran la mayoría gente de Huelva y los pueblos de Huelva...” — Rosa [60:08]

6. Media, Filtering, and Information Fragmentation

• Concerns over leaks: Exclusive audio recordings and investigative details trickle into the press, sometimes without official context. Multiple contributors note the danger of a fragmented and rumor-driven narrative ([37:25], [49:43], [66:03]).

7. Technical Debate: Causes and Procedures

• Speculation over the immediate technical causes: Was it the infrastructure or the rolling stock (train) at fault? What does “enganchón” mean in the context of the derailment? Investigation points at potential issues with the rail, but no conclusions yet.

“No sabemos cuál es la causa del accidente [...] Por qué tenemos tanta prisa en saber de qué bando hay que ponerse también en esto, si de Lirio o de Adif...” — Carlos Alsina [33:43]

8. Analysis of Maquinista’s Emergency Call

• Listeners hear the actual emergency call from the LIRYO train driver after derailment—he coolly describes a "descarrilamiento" and an “enganchón,” but initially is unaware of the multi-train catastrophe ([48:43]).
• This is dissected for procedural appropriateness and as a sign of the system’s communication complexity ([49:43], [53:43], [63:36]).

9. Opinions on Rebuilding Trust & Safety

• Some contributors express lost confidence in the railway and the government; others argue for patience and caution against drawing hasty conclusions.
• Calls for more technical, not political, leadership in communications ([26:27], [28:44], [36:05]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He perdido totalmente la confianza en la seguridad de la red ferroviaria española. [...] Es lo triste de toda esta historia, que creo que la gestión que el Gobierno ha hecho de este asunto ha creado inseguridad en los usuarios.” — Antonio Caño [28:44]
• “Yo insisto: a la pregunta de qué ha pasado, añado la de por qué si había señales de que había problemas, no se actuó antes.” — Carmen Morodo [26:27]
• “Este comunicado de los maquinistas amplía las preguntas. Ahora no solo estamos ante qué ha pasado, sino también si había señales de que había problemas, y por qué no se actuó antes.” — Carmen Morodo [26:27]
• “Me resisto a que las juntemos todas. Una cosa son retrasos y otra cosa es que descarrile un tren.” — Carlos Alsina [31:37]
• “Contribuyamos a que no haya psicosis.” — Carlos Alsina [37:25]
• “El factor humano en esto, el dejar que sea el maquinista el que decida todos los aspectos de la conducción, es una cosa en la que el sistema ferroviario ha estado luchando toda la vida.” — John Müller [38:15]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:09–06:47]: News overview, details of Adamuz accident, SEMAF statement, media coverage analysis
• [16:27–19:13]: Interview with the Mayor of Yélida on the commuter crash and ongoing rescue efforts
• [25:05–29:00]: Panel analysis of communication failures, SEMAF’s strike call, demands for technical transparency
• [31:37–36:01]: Debate on public trust, comparison with past accidents, urge against premature blame assignment
• [38:15–41:53]: Panel discusses stress in the rail system, the impact of liberalization, and pressure on institutions
• [48:43–49:20]: Full playback of LIRYO maquinista’s emergency call and dissection of its significance
• [54:54–61:13]: Emotional live call with Rosa, family member of victims—raw testimony of loss and confusion
• [63:36–67:14]: Further unpacking of filtered audio, “enganchón” explanation, speculation over responsibilities
• [68:10–End]: The episode closes with brief forays into other current events (Davos, NATO, Trump), signaling a return to the regular program rhythm

Structure of Contributors

• Carlos Alsina (Host)
• Panelists: Carmen Morodo, Marta García Ayer, Antonio Caño, John Müller, Rubén Amón
• Guest Interviews: Lluís Bals (Mayor of Yélida), Ana Utiel (correspondent)
• Listener Testimony: Rosa Eugui

Final Reflections

The episode is a microcosm of Spain’s current moment—a nation grappling with shock, searching for responsible answers in the wake of tragedy, and anxious about institutional and governmental leadership. The program underscores how efficient, honest communication in crisis is as vital as technical expertise, and how swiftly public confidence can erode in the face of uncertainty and perceived opacity.

For Listeners:

This summary covers all the major points and notable moments. The program’s exchanges are detailed, sometimes heated, but generally avoid prematurely assigning blame. The emotional call with Rosa is particularly poignant and ties the tragedy’s human cost to the larger debate.

If you haven’t listened, you’ll find in this episode both the facts (as so far known) and the raw emotion around the state of Spain’s railways and its political climate after tragedy.