On 20 November at about 6:00 a.m., an express and a sprinter passenger train collided near Czech towns, leaving 57 injured and prompting a near‑total shutdown of the line.
Collision details and casualties
On 20 November at about 6:00 a.m. in the Czech Republic, an express and a sprinter passenger train collided near the towns of Czech Budjiowic and Pilsen, leaving 57 people injured – 40 with minor wounds, 15 with moderate injuries and two seriously hurt. All passengers were evacuated and traffic on the line was halted, with buses operating as a replacement service.
Initial investigation and suggested causes
Railway Inspection experts are on site. Unofficial reports say the express train should have stopped at a red signal but passed it, and that a temporary shutdown of safety devices on the line meant that only one track was in use, with trains scheduled to pass alternately.
Technical system failures and track usage
The southern Czech line is not equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS), and the safety devices responsible for turnouts and signal operation were temporarily disabled at the time of the incident. The operator explained that ETCS is a safety‑control system that delivers cab signalling and controls train operation, but it would not have prevented the collision because “there would be nothing to catch.”
Statements from railway officials and police estimates
Sprava Zeleznic spokesperson Martin Kavka said all passengers had been evacuated. Czech police reported that the preliminary damage estimate is 150 million Czech crowns for the trains and that investigations are underway under criminal charges of potential negligence.
Estimated material damage
The police have sent investigators to the site, estimating the damage at 150 million crowns and noting that the criminal procedure will be launched due to suspected public endangerment through negligence.
