### Copper Cable Thefts Disrupt Spanish Train Services, Stranding Thousands

In a major disruption to rail services between Madrid and southern Spain, the theft of copper cables affected over 10,000 passengers as authorities respond to the chaos.

A significant act of sabotage involving the theft of copper cables forced high-speed trains to a standstill across Spain, stranding thousands of passengers and leaving them in limbo. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, took place at five different locations near the high-speed line connecting Madrid to the Andalusia region, prompting an investigation by authorities.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente called the theft a "serious act of sabotage." By Monday morning, he confirmed that operations were being "fully restored" after a night of disruption affecting many travelers, especially ahead of the Feria festival in Seville, which typically sees a surge in travelers. More than 10,000 passengers were left inconvenienced as trains connecting Madrid to cities like Seville, Malaga, Valencia, and Granada remained out of service.

"This has all happened so suddenly in the last two weeks - what is going on?" remarked Kevin, a tourist from the US, while awaiting updates at Madrid’s Atocha station. The theft mirrors a recent national blackout that had already brought the country's transport services to a halt, with authorities still investigating its cause.

Puente noted that the sites of theft were accessible via winding forest trails, and he praised the efforts of staff who managed the situation under rigorous conditions. Spain’s national rail operator, Adif, reported gradual reinstatement of train services throughout the day. In an effort to uncover who is behind the thefts, the Spanish interior ministry confirmed that the civil guard, along with police forces, were working closely with Adif.

The surge in copper prices in recent years has led to an alarming rise in these types of theft, impacting rail and telecommunications networks across the country.