A collision between two trains in the southern region of the Czech Republic has resulted in 57 individuals sustaining injuries, with two of them being classified as severe, according to the regional rescue service.
The incident occurred near the city of České Budějovice, approximately 74 miles south of Prague, and emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene around 6:20 a.m. today. Traffic in the area, specifically between Ceske Budejovice and Plzen, has been suspended and is not anticipated to resume until later in the day.
While an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the train collision, the Czech transport minister has indicated that one of the trains likely disregarded a red signal.
Among the injured individuals are two with severe conditions, as confirmed by the regional rescue service, although a medical facility in Ceske Budejovice has reported treating five patients with serious injuries.
This mishap follows a series of recent railway incidents in central Europe, including one in Slovakia where 13 people were hospitalized after a train crash near Bratislava on November 9. In another incident on October 13 in eastern Slovakia, multiple passengers were injured, with two in critical condition, when two trains collided.
The collision between an express train and a passenger train earlier today on the railway line connecting Zliví and Dívčice in the České Budějovice area has resulted in 42 individuals being injured, five of whom sustained severe injuries. Jan Kučera, Inspector General of the Railway Inspection, mentioned that investigations are underway to ascertain whether the collision was due to human error, technical malfunction, or systemic issues.
Transport Minister Martin Kupka provided an update stating, “This morning, an express train collided with a passenger train on the line between Zlív and Dívčí. Emergency services are on-site, and evacuation procedures are in progress. Initial reports suggest three severe injuries and approximately 40 minor injuries. The Railway Inspectorate is actively investigating the incident. According to preliminary findings from the Railway Administration, it appears the express train may have passed a signal in the STOP position.”
A spokesperson for a regional hospital informed news agency CTK that five individuals were admitted with severe injuries, while the remaining casualties sustained minor injuries.
Photographs depicting the two train carriages colliding have surfaced following the morning’s crash, which resulted in a total of 42 injuries. Two individuals suffered severe injuries, while approximately 40 experienced minor injuries, as reported by the regional rescue service.
Authorities are currently probing the circumstances surrounding the collision, which occurred near Ceske Budejovice, south of Prague, early this morning.