During the night in the center of Pardubice in the Czech Republic, two trains collided – an express train and a freight train, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The train disaster in Pardubice

As a result of the accident, four people died, and more than 20 were injured.

According to Polish Radio, more than 300 people were on board the RegioJet night train, which was traveling from Prague to the city of Chop in Ukraine.

At the “Pardubice Centrum” station, the express train collided with a freight train operated by the state carrier ČD Cargo, which was transporting chemicals.

The impact was so strong that the first carriages of the passenger train derailed, and one of them was partially crushed. Czech Minister of the Interior, Vít Rakušan, arrived at the scene.

“We have four confirmed deaths as a result of this tragic railway disaster. There are also many people injured, most of them with minor injuries. The passengers of the train have been evacuated to the station building, where psychological assistance is being provided,” the minister said.

The Czech Minister of Transport, Martin Kupka, stated that the causes of the accident are being investigated. He added that services are working to restore rail traffic on one of the country’s main routes.

More than 60 firefighters and several medical rescue teams, including helicopters, participated in the rescue operation.

The train disaster in Pardubice

Ukrzaliznytsia is providing maximum support to passengers, cooperating with the Czech operator.

Despite the force majeure on Czech territory, Ukrzaliznytsia is working on organizing the delivery of train passengers to their destinations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed the death of two Ukrainian citizens as a result of the railway accident in the Czech Republic and informs about ongoing communication with law enforcement agencies.

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