A train collision in the city of Pardubice, Czech Republic, late on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 resulted in the deaths of at least four people and left more than 27 others injured. The accident involved a passenger train operated by RegioJet, which was en route from Prague to the western Ukrainian city of Chop and a freight train carrying calcium carbide.
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The train was traveling overnight from Prague to Chop, Ukraine. Carrying calcium carbide, a hazardous chemical, although no leak occurred as the first two wagons were empty.
The collision occurred shortly before 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT). The crash happened near the main train station in Pardubice, Czech Republic, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Prague.
The passenger train had more than 300 people on board, many of whom were foreigners. The Czech Republic train had departed from Prague at 19:52 GMT and was scheduled to leave Pardubice at 20:47 GMT. It was expected to reach Chop at 08:35 GMT on Thursday after crossing Slovakia.
More than 60 firefighters including both professional and volunteer personnel were deployed to the scene.
Nine ambulance vans and two helicopters were also involved in the rescue efforts. The rescue operation was challenging due to the deformation of the first carriage which made it difficult to access and extricate the injured passengers.
Passengers were evacuated into the train station building. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan stated that most injuries were minor.
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his condolences on social media platform X, describing the crash as a great disaster and extended his sympathies to the victims and their families.
Czech Republic interior and transport ministers arrived at the crash site around 01:00 am Thursday (23:00 GMT Wednesday).
Czech Republic Transport Minister Martin Kupka announced that an investigation into the cause of the accident was underway. The main train corridor connecting Prague with Brno and Ostrava would remain closed for several hours.
Pardubice has been the site of major train accidents before. In 1960, a head-on collision between two passenger trains north of the city resulted in the worst-ever Czech railway accident, killing 118 people and injuring around 100 others.
News website idnes.cz provided footage showing at least one derailed carriage. Police also shared images on X, depicting a line of emergency service vehicles and a helicopter at the scene.
The local fire brigade confirmed that the freight train was transporting calcium carbide. Despite the hazardous nature of the cargo, no leaks occurred since the initial wagons were empty.
Firefighter Pavel Ber addressed the difficulties in the rescue work due to the severely damaged first carriage, which complicated access to injured individuals.
Pardubice region’s Governor Martin Netolicky confirmed the involvement of the RegioJet train and provided updates on the casualties and injured passengers.
CNN has reached out to RegioJet for comment. As of now, no additional statement has been provided by the train operator.
The collision took place in the city of Pardubice, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Prague. The crash happened late Wednesday night.
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The passenger train was operated by the private company RegioJet, while the freight train belonged to Czech Railways.
Interior Minister Vít Rakušan confirmed that four people were killed and 27 others were injured. The local emergency spokesperson, Alena Kisiala, stated that four individuals suffered injuries incompatible with life.
There were about 380 passengers on the high-speed train heading towards the city of Kosice in eastern Slovakia with plans to continue to Chop across the Ukrainian border.
Many of the passengers were foreigners including at least two Ukrainian women who lost their lives in the crash.
The drivers of both trains survived the collision. Transport Minister Martin Kupka confirmed that most of the injuries were not life-threatening.
The rescue operation involved nine ambulance vans, two helicopters and over 60 firefighters, both professional and voluntary. The first carriage of the passenger train was severely deformed, complicating rescue efforts.
Passengers were evacuated to the train station building. Emergency workers including police and firefighters were deployed to assist and identify the passengers gathered at the station.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported that an official from their consulate in Brno was present at the scene and in constant contact with rescue and law enforcement agencies.
The main track between Prague and the eastern part of the country was closed for investigation. It was partially reopened nine hours later, but Czech Railways advised passengers to avoid the route for the entire day.
Martin Drápal, a spokesperson for the state agency that investigates train crashes suggested that the driver of the passenger train may have failed to stop at a signal. It is not yet clear whether this was due to human error or a technical malfunction.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his condolences on social media calling the crash a tragedy. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan and Transport Minister Martin Kupka both visited the site early Thursday morning.
Radim Jančura, the owner of RegioJet expressed deep sorrow over the accident and stated that his company was ready to compensate the affected passengers.
Images and footage from the scene showed at least one carriage off the track and damage to the front of the train.
Emergency service vehicles and helicopters were also visible in the shared media. Czech TV and other news websites like idnes.cz provided detailed coverage.
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