On Sunday, November 2, Czech railways faced massive delays when thieves removed essential switching cables between Lipník nad Bečvou and Hranice, forcing trains to reroute.
Massive Delays on Main Line
On Sunday, November 2, the main railway corridor in the Czech Republic experienced severe disruptions after thieves stole the cables that control switches and safety devices between Lipník nad Bečvou and Hranice in Moravia.
Impact on Passengers
According to Železničáři spokesperson Martin Kavka, trains traveling between Olomouc and Ostrava will continue to face complications until the morning of Monday. With a capacity of only about four trains per hour, staff will operate replacement buses instead of passenger and regional services.
Recovery of Service
By just before 20:30, traffic on the single-track line was partially restored, and the situation improved. However, an hour later some trains remained idle, indicating a gradual return to normal operations.
Police Arrests
Czech police confirmed that three suspects were detained shortly after a theft report at 18:00. Police spokeswoman Marie Safarova said an investigation is ongoing and that the exact number of stolen cables remains unknown.