ROŽŇAVA, Slovakia (BN24) — A catastrophic high-speed train collision near the eastern Slovak town of Rožňava on October 13 has left dozens injured, including three in critical condition. The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), when two trains traveling at high speed collided in what officials are calling an extraordinary and tragic accident.
The two trains were part of Slovakia’s national rail network, operated by Slovak Railways, and both were carrying a combined total of around 80 passengers at the time of the incident. The crash occurred along a busy stretch of track near Rožňava, a town located in the eastern part of the country, where the aftermath of the collision left one of the trains severely damaged. The front of one of the trains was crumpled, while the other train derailed entirely, with its carriages scattered along the track.
Initial assessments from Slovak police and emergency services suggest that at least three people sustained life-threatening injuries, including two passengers whose condition is described as critical. The other injuries, while numerous, were reported as being less severe. The Slovak Emergency Medical Service (EZMS) confirmed that multiple ambulance crews were dispatched immediately after the crash, with emergency personnel working to tend to the injured and evacuate passengers from the wreckage.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and the focus is on understanding how the two high-speed trains came into direct contact with each other. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, speaking at the scene, indicated that human error could have played a key role in the incident. “One of the train operators likely failed to yield to the other train,” Šutaj Eštok stated. “While we are not ruling out other potential factors, we believe human error may have been involved.”
The damage to the trains was extensive. Photographs taken from the scene show the front of one train crushed, while the other had completely derailed off the tracks. The trains had been traveling at speeds typical for high-speed rail systems, which only compounded the severity of the collision. Rescue teams from surrounding regions, including firefighters, police, and paramedics, were dispatched to assist in evacuating the passengers, some of whom were still trapped inside the wrecked cars.
A spokesman for the Slovak Emergency Medical Service noted that “all components of the Integrated Rescue System” had been activated to respond to the scene. “The priority right now is to evacuate passengers from the trains safely. The extent of injuries is still being assessed, but we are working as quickly as possible to secure the area and provide aid,” the spokesperson said. “Our teams are coordinating efforts with the police to ensure that the scene remains secure and to allow for a thorough investigation.”
Interior Minister Šutaj Eštok also confirmed that, although the investigation is still in its early stages, investigators are focusing on the possibility of a procedural error or miscommunication between the two train operators. “This is an extraordinary traffic accident, one that will require a full investigation,” he said. “At the moment, we believe that human error may have led to the two trains being in the same place at the same time, causing the tragic collision.”
The search for any other passengers or potential crew members who may still be trapped in the wreckage is ongoing. Rescue teams have been working around the clock to ensure that all individuals are accounted for and evacuated from the crash site. Authorities have not released the full list of passengers or their identities, and it remains unclear whether any additional individuals are still unaccounted for.
Several fire stations and rescue teams have been working in close coordination, and Slovak police are assisting in managing the chaotic scene. The emergency response is being coordinated to ensure the safety of all those at the scene, with ongoing efforts to stabilize the area for investigators.
“The cause of the collision is still under investigation,” the spokesperson for the Slovak Emergency Medical Service emphasized. “At this time, our priority remains to rescue and evacuate those affected. Once that is complete, we will continue gathering information on what led to this tragic event.”
The Slovak government has pledged full support for those affected by the accident and has promised a thorough inquiry into the events surrounding the crash. It is expected that authorities will release more information in the coming hours as both the rescue and investigative efforts continue.
This incident has cast a shadow over Slovakia’s rail system, raising concerns about the safety protocols in place for high-speed trains. Local authorities have assured the public that every effort will be made to determine the exact cause of the collision, with a focus on ensuring such an accident never occurs again.
The crash remains under investigation, and officials have committed to providing additional updates as the situation unfolds.
