Passenger trains crash in Slovakia, dozens injured

According to the media, the collision occurred on the railway corridor between Bratislava and the town of Pezinok. The incident was reported at 7:31 p.m.

Police and Slovakia’s Interior Ministry stated that the accident happened when one train crashed into the rear of another. The trains involved in the collision were Tatran 620 and Rex 1814.

Interior Minister Šutaj Eštok stated that about 800 people were on board the trains at the moment of impact, and both trains were full of students. One of them was traveling from the eastern part of the country, and the other from Nitra.

Following the incident, 11 injured passengers were taken to a hospital in Bratislava, while dozens of others sustained minor injuries.

The head of Slovakia’s Fire and Rescue Service, Adrián Mifkovič, reported that most of the victims suffered fractures and bruises. He also warned that some people might experience delayed injuries, including those to the cervical spine.

“Due to the physical processes that occur during a sudden train stop, some symptoms may appear even the next day,” he explained.

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini also commented on the incident:

“I wish all those injured in the train collision near Pezinok as little suffering as possible and a speedy recovery. I thank all the rescue services for their professional response,” the head of state said.

Rescue workers, police, and medical teams continue to operate at the scene.

For reference, just a month earlier, on October 13, high-speed trains also collided in Slovakia. The incident occurred near the Slovak village of Jablonov nad Turňou.

Local media reported that around 100 people were injured in the collision. Initially, nearly 70 were reported injured, but later the figure was updated to 91.

Later, the country’s Interior Ministry stated that, according to preliminary data, the accident may have been caused by human error.