On Sunday night, a damaged rail segment north of Garwolin halted a train on Line 7, prompting investigations and sparking divergent statements from Poland’s Prime Minister and the Ministry of Interior.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
A train traveling on Line 7 between Sobolew and Zycyn experienced a fault after the motorman detected a damaged section of track early Sunday morning. The train was stopped, and nine crew members and passengers were evacuated to a safe area off the line. No injuries were reported.
Investigation and Technical Assessment
The Polish State Railways (PKP PLK) created a special commission to determine how the rail segment was damaged. Police, the prosecutor’s office, the Internal Security Agency, and firefighting units secured the site, collected evidence, and are conducting a forensic examination. The commission will analyze technical and security information to establish whether the damage was accidental or deliberate.
Railway Operations and Service Impact
After initial containment, traffic on Line 7 was temporarily halted. Service resumed with single‑track operation between Sobolew and Zycyn, and trains were rerouted or operated with reduced capacity. The Warsaw–Lublin corridor can run, but some regional services may be cancelled or shortened, with expected delays of up to ten minutes.
Government Reactions and Speculation
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that sabotage could not be ruled out, adding that he was in contact with the Interior Minister. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior and Administration, however, announced that the police and prosecutor’s office were investigating and that there is currently no basis to confirm a third‑party attack. The statements triggered debate over the consistency of official communication.
Current Status and Next Steps
Until the commission’s final report is released, the Ministry of Interior stresses it is too early to label the incident as sabotage. Officials maintain that all plausible causes, from technical failure to intentional damage, are under scrutiny. Public notices and rail operators will provide updates as investigations progress.
