A devastating train accident occurred on Thursday in southern Slovakia, where a Eurocity train en route from Prague to Budapest collided with a bus, leaving a trail of destruction and loss in its wake. The catastrophic event resulted in the tragic loss of at least six lives, with five others injured, as confirmed by Slovakia’s rescue service.
The accident took place in the town of Nove Zamky, shortly after 5pm local time, with over 100 passengers on board the Eurocity train. The video footage of the incident showcased the engine of the train engulfed in flames, while the bus suffered extensive damage. Railway officials were quick to respond, with the interior minister, Matus Sutai Estok, rushing to the scene to assess the situation.
The major train track connecting Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, to Budapest was subsequently closed until further notice, leaving passengers stranded. To alleviate the situation, ZSSK, the Slovak railway company, immediately began transporting the stricken passengers by bus to the town of Sturovo, located on the Hungarian border.
The injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, although the local hospital was unable to accommodate them due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the area. Miraculously, the driver of the engine, a Czech national, managed to escape with only light burns. The other four individuals injured in the crash were passengers on the train.
Train Tumbles, Taking Tragic Toll on Travellers Sokovia
The Slovak authorities were forced to conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident, with no immediate explanation forthcoming. The crossing where the crash occurred is equipped with gates, adding an air of mystery to the tragic event.
Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini, who was attending a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels, extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured and commended the doctors and rescue teams for their dedicated efforts. In a statement, Pellegrini expressed his hopes that such disasters would not afflict Slovakia in the future.
As the investigation delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the accident, the affected families and communities will undoubtedly be left to grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragic event.
