A collision between two trains near České Budějovice in the southern Czech Republic has resulted in 57 people sustaining injuries, with two individuals in serious condition, as reported by the regional rescue service. The incident prompted immediate response from emergency services following the crash early this morning, causing a disruption in the transportation between Ceske Budejovice and Plzen, expected to last until later in the day.
While the exact cause of the train crash is still under investigation, the Czech transport minister mentioned a high probability of one of the trains running a red light. The regional rescue service confirmed that 57 individuals were hurt in the collision, but the severity of injuries remains uncertain, with reports varying between two and five serious injuries.
This event follows a series of recent railway accidents in central Europe, including two train crashes in Slovakia resulting in hospitalizations. Two evacuation buses were deployed to assist unaffected passengers away from the crash site. Jan Kučera, Inspector General of the Railway Inspection, stated that a thorough investigation is underway to determine whether human error, technical malfunctions, or systemic issues contributed to the incident.
Transport Minister Martin Kupka provided updates on the situation, mentioning the collision between an express and passenger train on the Zliví and Dívčice line, resulting in multiple injuries. A hospital spokeswoman confirmed that five people were admitted with severe injuries, while the rest suffered minor wounds. Images of the damaged train cars have surfaced following the crash, further highlighting the impact of the collision. Authorities are actively probing the circumstances that led to the accident near Ceske Budejovice, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the cause behind this extraordinary event.
