Urda crash: Luis Pedro Marco leaves the presidency of Adif after meeting with Carlos Cuerpo

Luis Pedro Marco de la Peña left the presidency of Adif, the rail infrastructure manager, on Wednesday after a meeting at the Transport Ministry with First Deputy Prime Minister Carlos Cuerpo, who took over the portfolio on an interim basis on Tuesday, and with the secretary of state for transport, José Antonio Santano, according to El Español and El Debate. According to El Español, which cites sources familiar with the matter, it is formally a resignation after Cuerpo withdrew his confidence in him; El Debate describes it as a dismissal, and Officialpress, citing government sources, as a resignation that Cuerpo accepted.

None of the three sources names a replacement. According to El Español, Adif's director general of operations, Ángel García de la Bandera, is emerging as the frontrunner for the post, which the government has not confirmed. Marco's departure comes a day after that of Óscar Puente as transport minister.

The October 28 collision between a Renfe AVE and an Iryo train near Urda (Toledo) killed 69 people, all of whom have now been identified, according to the Integrated Data Center as reported by Castilla-La Mancha Media. The causes remain under judicial and technical investigation, and a funeral will be held at Toledo Cathedral on November 12.

Developing story: Marco's departure has been reported by several outlets based on government and informed sources, but they differ on whether it was a resignation or a dismissal, and it has not yet been possible to access an official statement from the Transport Ministry or Adif, or the appointment of his successor.