Key Highlights
- At least 42 people were injured in a train collision near České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- The crash occurred after one of the trains ran through a red signal at around 6:20 am local time on October 22, 2023.
- Firefighters and paramedics were immediately dispatched to the scene where they treated various injuries.
- All passengers have been evacuated from both trains involved in the incident.
The Tragic Crash: Immediate Response and Evacuation
A high-speed train collided with a passenger express, causing significant damage to one of the vehicles. The crash occurred near České Budějovice, approximately 100 miles south of Prague, in the Czech Republic. The incident was reported to have happened around 6:20 am local time on October 22, 2023.
The rapid response by emergency services included firefighters and paramedics who rushed to the scene, treating over 40 people with light injuries at the site.
Five individuals suffered more severe wounds and were admitted to a regional hospital for further treatment. The remaining passengers received minor injuries and were treated on-site.
Investigation and Operational Disruption
Transport Minister Martin Kupka stated that the crash was still under investigation but noted preliminary findings suggesting one of the trains likely passed through a signal in the stop position. An official with Sprava zeleznic, the rail operator, confirmed that all passengers from both trains were safely evacuated.
Czech Railways announced that operations between České Budějovice and Plzen have been halted until around 3 pm on the same day. The rail network remains closed due to ongoing investigations and safety assessments at the accident site.
Regional Authorities and Emergency Services
According to regional authorities, 11 ground crews and a helicopter from the South Bohemian Region Medical Rescue Service responded to the incident. Firefighters were tasked with triaging and treating passengers while two evacuation buses assisted in moving uninjured individuals.
The South Bohemian Region Fire Rescue Service provided photographs of emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire trucks, buses, and a rescue tent present at the scene. These images helped to illustrate the scale of the operation and the immediate response required by local authorities to manage the situation effectively.
This detailed analysis of the train collision near České Budějovice highlights the swift and coordinated efforts of emergency services in addressing the incident, ensuring passenger safety, and investigating the cause of the crash.
