Indefinite closure of Sol metro station due to unsanitary conditions

The Community of Madrid has announced the indefinite closure of the Sol metro station due to unsanitary conditions resulting from nearly three weeks of camping in the square. President Isabel Díaz Ayuso stated that the accumulation of urine, feces, and other organic waste has led to the detection of toxic gases in the ventilation shafts, posing a public health risk.

The regional government has requested the Delegation of the Government to proceed with the eviction of the campsite to carry out urgent and necessary cleaning work in the station. This closure does not affect Renfe operations, which continues to function in commuter services, although the metro station will remain closed until a healthy and safe environment can be ensured.

Ayuso has expressed that the current conditions pose a risk to metro workers, a point that has been questioned by Renfe and the unions, who argue otherwise. In response, representatives have pointed out that it has not been proven that the unsanitary conditions threaten workplace safety.

This closure also involves a series of political tensions surrounding the campsite, as it is expected that the government's intervention will result in legal actions for the eviction of the protesters. The campsite, focused on housing protests, has generated considerable public controversy.

The Community has stated that the situation at the station is unsustainable and that disinfection and rat control work can only be carried out if the campsite is cleared. Authorities have emphasized that the air inside the facility is not clean and that high levels of ammonia have been detected.

So far, no specific date has been set for the reopening of the Sol metro station, pending an evaluation of the facility’s healthiness after the cleaning efforts are organized. President Ayuso has insisted that the station’s healthiness must be certified before it can resume operations.