Two Trains Collide in Slovakia, Dozens Injured in Crash

A collision between two trains in Slovakia has left several passengers injured, with reports indicating that one of the trains allegedly ran a red light. The incident occurred near Pezinok, located in the Bratislava region, at approximately 19:30 on Sunday. Eleven individuals were transported to hospitals, while dozens sustained minor injuries, according to Matus Sutaj Estok, the country’s interior minister.

The crash involved one train colliding into the rear of another, as confirmed by police. Preliminary reports suggest there was no head-on collision or derailment. The incident transpired while approximately 800 people were aboard the trains, many of whom were students returning home.

Emergency services were deployed to the scene swiftly, and passengers were provided with foil blankets for warmth. A spokesperson for University Hospital Bratislava reported that two patients were undergoing surgery, and this number is expected to rise as more injuries are assessed.

Ivan Bednarok, head of the Slovak railway service ZSR, described the accident as “extraordinary.” He noted that one of the trains was in a location it should not have been. While he refrained from speculating on the causes prior to the investigation’s completion, he stated, “it clearly ran a red signal, leaving a stop where it shouldn’t have.” The express train collided with the other at an estimated speed exceeding 100 km/h.

Passengers recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash. One individual, who regularly travels from Piestany to Bratislava, described how the sudden stop threw passengers forward. “Only a mounted table stopped me from slamming my whole body into the lady sitting across from me,” they said.

An emergency call was reportedly made from one of the trains, urging any doctors on board to assist in the first carriage, where conditions were dire for several passengers. Authorities conducted drug and alcohol tests on both train drivers, with results returning negative.

This incident marks the second train crash in Slovakia within the past month. On October 13, 2023, two trains collided in eastern Slovakia, resulting in injuries to 91 individuals. As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the factors that led to this latest accident and ensuring the safety of train travel in the region.