A Leo Express passenger train collided with a truck near the Slovak capital of Bratislava. The truck driver was killed while the resulting derailment left more than 20 passengers injured. Police are now investigating the incident as a crime of public endangerment.
A Leo Express passenger train collided with a truck at a railway crossing near the town of Dunajská Streda on Thursday morning, halting traffic on the line between the site of the crash and Dolný Štál, located southeast of Bratislava near the Hungarian border.
The collision occurred shortly before 09:15, when the Czech private operator’s REX 1433 service, carrying almost 50 passengers, struck the vehicle at an active light-controlled crossing without barriers, according to infra manager Slovak Railways (ŽSR). The train derailed on impact, with the 58-year-old truck driver killed in the accident.
Emil Sedlařík, a spokesperson for Leo Express, which is partly owned by Spanish state carrier Renfe, said the crash had resulted in 21 passenger injuries. “The injuries are mainly caused by broken glass,” he said, adding that “one passenger has a head injury.” He said that the operator’s priority had been “the safety of passengers and train crew,” with the extent of the damage to be quantified later.
A diesel fuel leak was also reported following the collision, prompting the dispatch of a specialist EKOS technical unit. Rail traffic between Dunajská Streda and Dolný Štál was suspended following the crash, but the line was reopened to traffic at 20:30.
Police meanwhile confirmed they are investigating the case as a crime of public endangerment. The train driver has already tested negative for alcohol and drugs, while an autopsy has been ordered for the truck driver.
Slovak Railways is planning to upgrade the Bratislava–Dunajská Streda–Komárno line, which is currently undergoing environmental impact assessment. A 2025 feasibility study includes proposals to double-track the Bratislava–Dunajská Streda section, electrify the full line to Komárno, increase line speeds to 120 km/h and modernise its infrastructure, including rolling out ERTMs on the line.
Read more:
Subscribe to gain access to all news
Already have a subscription? Log in.
Choose your subscription
Considering a corporate subscription? Contact us to find out more.
Or
Want to read this article for free?
You can read one free article per month. Enter your email and we’ll send you a free link to access the full article. No payment required.