7 killed, about 70 injured in train accident in north Moravia

Seven people were killed and about 70 injured in a train accident in north Moravia on Friday morning. An international express train going from Krakow to Prague crashed at about 140 km per hour into a motorway bridge which had collapsed onto the rail tracks. Emergency crews and fire fighters from across Moravia have been called to the site of the accident. Six bodies – five Czech women and a man from Poland – were found in the wreckage and a seventh person, a Ukrainian, died later in hospital. Many of the passengers on the train were young people travelling to a concert in Prague. Among the injured are Poles, French, Slovaks and a Ukrainian. A rescue services spokesman said 13 people were seriously hurt.

The Czech and Polish prime ministers, Mirek Topolanek and Donald Tusk, visited the scene to observe rescue efforts. Two emergency phone lines have been set up for the victims’ families: (+420) 974 723 202 and (+420) 974 723 201.

The bridge, which was being rebuilt, apparently collapsed while the train was approaching or passing underneath. The train driver pulled the emergency brake and jumped into the engine room, surviving with light injuries. The cause of the collapse is not clear and will be subject to thorough investigation by the authorities.

Author: Ruth Fraňková