Two high-speed trains collided in eastern Slovakia on Monday. It all happened because one of the trains went off the tracks. At least 20 people were injured, two passengers are in critical condition. Prime Minister Robert Fico ordered a full investigation and officials tentatively suggested human error may have caused the crash.
At least 20 people were injured Monday when two trains collided in eastern Slovakia, according to the country's emergency services and local media. The disaster occurred near the village of Jablonov nad Turnou in Roznava district, about 55 kilometers west of Kosice, the regional capital.
Footage posted by police on social media showed gruesome scenes of trains lying off the tracks on a hillside while paramedics treated passengers nearby. It is believed there were around 80-100 passengers on the two trains, according to TV Markíza, which ran between Zvolen and Kosice.
Slovak Interior Minister Matus Szutai Eshtok said two passengers were in critical condition and three others remained trapped under the rubble.
“Initial reports suggest that this was a serious traffic accident, possibly caused by human error,” he told a news conference, adding that one of the drivers may have failed to give way.
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Slovakia: two trains collided in the Roznava area
Eshtok and Transport Minister Josef Raz arrived at the scene, while Prime Minister Robert Fico called for a comprehensive investigation before drawing any conclusions.
Slovakia's rescue agency sent helicopters, firefighters and ambulance teams to the scene. Nearby hospitals in Košice and Rožnava have activated trauma care plans as part of their emergency response. The collision occurred right in front of the tunnel entrance, making it difficult for rescuers to reach the scene.
State operator ZSSK confirmed that the trains had collided at the point where the double track was reduced to single track and said bus services had been arranged to replace the canceled services: “The priority now is the rescue and evacuation of our passengers and staff.”
