Two people charged over benzene train accident in Hustopeče nad Bečvou

Police have charged two people over last year's train accident involving toxic benzene in Hustopeče nad Bečvou in the Přerov region, a police spokeswoman said. They are being prosecuted for negligent endangerment of the public and environmental damage for which they could face up to eight years in prison.

The police have not released further details about the suspects. According to information obtained by the Czech News Agency, both are train drivers.

The overall damage caused by the accident has so far been estimated at around 400 million crowns,

The police have filed the charges 20 months after the accident, following an extensive investigation.