A tragic train collision occurred in the Czech Republic, resulting in the loss of at least four lives and leaving 23 individuals injured. The incident took place in the city of Pardubice, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Prague. The collision involved a high-speed passenger train operated by the private company RegioJet and a freight train.
Following the crash, Interior Minister Vít Rakušan and Transport Minister Martin Kupka provided initial details. Minister Rakušan confirmed the occurrence of the collision late Wednesday night, while Minister Kupka mentioned that the primary track connecting Prague to the eastern part of the country had to be shut down for investigation purposes.
Czech Railways, the state-run train company, indicated that due to the severity of the accident, the affected track is expected to remain closed for an extended period. The closure of this crucial corridor will likely impact train services between Prague and the eastern regions of the country.
Rescue operations reported that over 300 passengers were on board the high-speed train en route to Kosice, a city in eastern Slovakia, at the time of the collision. Unfortunately, the identities of the deceased individuals have not yet been disclosed.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, referring to it as a significant loss. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the collision.
