Two trains collided in western Slovakia, resulting in 11 individuals sustaining serious injuries, as confirmed by authorities. The incident occurred near Pezinok, a town in the Bratislava region, when Train Tatran 620, en route from Kosice to Bratislava, crashed into REX 1814, heading from Nitra to the capital. It appears that one of the trains disregarded a red signal and rear-ended the other.
A spokesperson for University Hospital Bratislava mentioned that two patients were undergoing surgery, with expectations of more surgeries needed. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok reported that 11 people were severely injured and transported to the hospital, while many others suffered minor injuries. Approximately 800 individuals, including numerous students, were onboard both trains.
Following the incident, both train operators tested negative for alcohol and drugs, according to a representative from the Bratislava regional police. Ivan Bednarok, the head of Slovak railway service ZSR, described the collision as an exceptional event, emphasizing that one train violated traffic signals, leading to the collision at a speed exceeding 100 km/h.
Emergency responders, including over 70 firefighters and 60 police officers, quickly arrived at the scene. Evacuation buses from the Prison and Judicial Guard Corps were utilized to transport passengers. A passenger shared their experience, recounting the sudden stop that threw everyone forward inside the train.
Prime Minister Robert Fico addressed the incident on Facebook, urging people to focus on aiding the injured and avoid spreading unfounded rumors or negativity. He assured coordination with relevant government members and conveyed well wishes for the injured individuals, with plans for an extraordinary government meeting the next day.
The state-owned rail operator ZSSK stated that emergency services were actively involved at the accident site, with ongoing collaboration among ZSSK, ZSR, police, and emergency services. They committed to a thorough investigation, promising updates as the inquiry progresses.
Train services in the region were disrupted, with ZSSK warning of significant delays. This incident occurred shortly after a previous train accident on October 13 in eastern Slovakia, which resulted in 91 injuries, including several serious ones.