Major Train Collision in Southern Czech Republic
An express train collided with a passenger train in the southern Czech Republic on Thursday morning, leaving dozens of people injured, according to official statements. The incident occurred near the city of Ceske Budejovice at approximately 6.20am, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Emergency Response and Injury Toll
Regional rescue services initially reported that a total of 57 people sustained injuries, with the majority described as light, though two individuals were classified as seriously injured. However, a hospital in Ceske Budejovice later provided a different assessment, stating that five patients admitted from the crash had suffered serious injuries. Emergency personnel, including paramedics and firefighters, were quickly dispatched to the scene, with images shared by the Fire Service of the Czech Republic showing their significant presence at the site of the collision.
Transport Disruption and Official Statements
The crash led to the immediate halt of all traffic between Ceske Budejovice and the city of Plzen. Authorities indicated that services were not expected to resume until the afternoon, causing significant disruption for commuters. Transport Minister Martin Kupka addressed the incident on social media platform X, confirming that an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. He revealed that preliminary information suggests one of the trains likely passed a signal that was in the stop position.
Martin Kavka, a spokesperson for the rail operator Sprava zeleznic, confirmed that all passengers have been safely evacuated from both trains. He declined to comment further on the cause of the accident, reiterating that the investigation was still in progress.
This incident follows another railway safety event just a month prior, where a high-speed train carrying hundreds of passengers collided with a fruit lorry at a level crossing in the Netherlands, injuring several people.
