Two locomotives collided in western Slovakia on Sunday, resulting in 11 individuals sustaining severe injuries, as confirmed by authorities. The incident was reported to the police at 7.31 pm local time near Pezinok, a municipality in the Bratislava area. Train Tatran 620, en route from Kosice to Bratislava, crashed into REX 1814, which was traveling from Nitra to the capital. Reports indicate that one of the trains disregarded a red signal and rear-ended the other.
A spokesperson from University Hospital Bratislava stated several hours post-accident that two patients were currently undergoing surgical procedures, with expectations of more individuals requiring surgery. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok mentioned that 11 people suffered severe injuries and were hospitalized, while numerous others sustained minor injuries. He noted that approximately 800 passengers were onboard the trains, both of which were reportedly carrying many students.
Following the incident, both train operators tested negative for alcohol and drugs, according to a Bratislava regional police representative. Ivan Bednarok, the head of Slovak railway service ZSR, labeled the collision as an extraordinary event, emphasizing that one train was positioned incorrectly, possibly running a red signal, leading to the subsequent collision with the second express train at an estimated speed exceeding 100 km/h.
Emergency response teams, including over 70 firefighters and 60 police officers, swiftly responded to the scene. Evacuation buses from the Prison and Judicial Guard Corps were utilized to transport passengers to safety. A passenger shared their experience, mentioning being abruptly thrown forward during the impact, narrowly prevented from colliding with another passenger by a mounted table.
Prime Minister Robert Fico addressed the incident on Facebook, urging individuals to prioritize the well-being of the injured and avoid spreading baseless rumors or animosity. He assured that he was coordinating with relevant government officials and wished a prompt recovery to those harmed. An extraordinary government meeting is scheduled for 9.00 am on Monday to address the situation.
ZSSK, the state-owned rail operator, disclosed that emergency services were actively responding to the accident scene, with reports of several injuries. The company affirmed close collaboration with ZSR, the state-run railway-infrastructure operator, police, and emergency services to manage the aftermath. They vowed a thorough investigation into the incident, promising updates as the investigation progresses.
Train services in the region were disrupted, with ZSSK cautioning travelers about significant delays along the affected route. This incident follows a recent train collision on October 13 in eastern Slovakia, where 91 individuals were injured, some critically.