EU prosecutors investigate rail safety funds in Spain

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into possible fraud involving European Union funds for safety-system upgrades on Spain’s Madrid-Seville high-speed rail line, and conducted investigative measures at three public bodies. The EPPO said the inquiry concerns funds allocated to renovate and upgrade safety, signalling and communications systems. Investigators visited the headquarters of rail infrastructure manager Adif, the State Railway Safety Agency, known as AESF, and Spain’s Court of Auditors. The office has not released further details about the investigation. Adif confirmed that EPPO staff visited its headquarters and said it provided all the information they requested. AESF and the Court of Auditors did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to one report. Spanish police were reported to be supporting the investigation. The inquiry follows two deadly accidents on the line this year. A January crash killed 46 people, and prosecutors opened a separate investigation in March. A collision in October killed 69 people, according to reports. The new fraud inquiry concerns possible misuse of EU funds; the supplied reporting does...