Czech Republic Train Collision Kills 4, Injures Several

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – At least four people, including two Ukrainians, were killed, and some 20 people suffered light injuries when a passenger train collided with a freight train overnight in the Czech Republic, officials said Thursday.

The crash occurred late Wednesday along the country’s foremost rail corridor from Prague to the east, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said.

Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said the crash occurred late Wednesday night in Pardubice, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Prague.

Rakušan added that none of the injured was in life-threatening condition.

Rescuers said 380 passengers were on board the train heading for Kosice in eastern Slovakia and further to Chop across the border in western Ukraine.

At least two Ukrainian women died in the crash, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement.

“An official of the Consulate of Ukraine in (the Czech city of) Brno is at the scene and in constant contact with rescue and law enforcement agencies,” it said.

Train crashes are still relatively rare in the Czech Republic and other European Union nations, though there have been several deadly incidents in recent years.

However, there has been concern about more congestion on railways due to the discouragement of shorter flights as part of the European Union’s “climate change” policies.

EU states have tried for years to increase cooperation to improve railway safety and efficiency.

Latest Worthy News