The disaster collision occurred when a high-speed service, run by state operator Renfe, ploughed into the rear of a stationary Iryo train on the Madrid-Andalusia line.
Authorities have attributed the collision to a combination of human and computer failures, with a safety system malfunction having brought all traffic on the route to a halt.
Mr Puente told lawmakers last week: “There was a red signal prohibiting movement, yet the train was authorised to proceed.
“It is a decision made under inexplicable circumstances.”
