Tragedy struck in Zaragoza after a sudden accident claimed the life of a prominent local leader from Zuera, one of the most prosperous communities in Aragon, with a population around nine thousand. The mayor, a Socialist party member named Luis Zubieta, died on Saturday morning following a collision while cycling along a roadway. After the municipal elections held on May 28, he had been re-elected as a councilor and had recently assumed the role of council president. He was also associated with the Aragon Federation of Municipalities, Regions and Provinces (famcp). At the time of the incident, there were discussions about his potential appointment as a deputy in the Cortes of Aragon, replacing Javier Lambán, with signals indicating a possible subsequent appointment as an autonomous senator after a plenary session to proceed with the investment.
The crash occurred at the 541st kilometer of the N-330 near Zuera in the locality of Gurrea de Gállego (Huesca), around 11:25 am. The area is known for the prison tunnels that lie nearby. Civil Security personnel reported to the crash site to coordinate the response and assist any ongoing investigation.
Born in 1965, Zubieta was married and had no children. In addition to serving as mayor and chairing the famcp, he was a central figure in the Zaragoza branch of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). He led the Provincial Executive Committee and also headed the Bajo Gállego Society, underscoring his influence across regional politics and civic organizations.
This year has seen two cycling fatalities on Aragon roads, both occurring within the same week. Across the year to date, traffic accidents have claimed more than two dozen lives in the community.
First reactions to the event
Reaction poured in swiftly from across political lines. Zubieta’s earliest communiques of memory and condolence appeared shortly after the news broke. The vice president of the Aragon Government, Javier Lambán, expressed deep desolation and sorrow at the loss, calling him a trusted colleague and a loyal friend. The message conveyed a personal sense of injustice and a pledge to support his family, ending with a wish for light to illuminate his path. These sentiments were shared on social media, underscoring the public sense of loss among officials and supporters alike.
Jorge Azcón, head of the Aragon branch of the People’s Party (PP), offered condolences to Zubieta’s family, friends, and PSOE colleagues. The statement hinted at a broader political transition, with Azcón noting the usual expectations for leadership changes in the regional government.
Víctor Serrano, the Zaragoza City Council Minister responsible for Urban Planning, Infrastructure, Housing and Energy, mourned the loss and recalled his personal relationship with Zubieta in his roles as mayor of Zuera and later as head of famcp. He recalled a recent encounter in Madrid and spoke fondly of the late leader, expressing enduring respect for their shared work. The memory of their professional interactions and friendship was echoed across social platforms as colleagues paid tribute.