Train Collision In Czech Republic Kills 4, Injures 27

Emmanuel EjioforJune 7, 20241 Mins read214

Photo Credit: Claudio Schwarz @ Unsplash

A head-on collision between a passenger train and a cargo train in the Czech Republic has killed at least four people and injured 27 others.

The crash occurred late Wednesday night in Pardubice, Prague, according to Interior Minister Vít Rakušan.

RegioJet operated the high-speed passenger train. Minister Rakušan confirmed that none of the injured were in life-threatening conditions.

The train, with 380 passengers aboard, was en route to Kosice in eastern Slovakia and Chop in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported that two Ukrainian women were among the deceased, while the Slovak Foreign Ministry also confirmed that two Slovak women were among the deceased.

Both train drivers survived the collision, as the local CTK news agency reported.

Czech Transport Minister, Martin Kupka, stated that the main track between Prague and the eastern part of the country was closed for investigation. Nine hours later, the track partially reopened, though Czech Railways advised passengers to avoid the route for the rest of the day.

The spokesperson for the state agency investigating the crash, Martin Drápal, indicated that the passenger train might have failed to stop at a signal. It is yet to be determined whether this was due to human error or a technical issue.

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, expressed condolences to the victims’ families, calling the crash a big tragedy. RegioJet owner, Radim Jančura, also offered condolences and pledged that his company would compensate the passengers.