Train collides with bus in Slovakia: Four dead, engine on fire
On Thursday, a train collided with a bus in the south of Slovakia. At least four people have died, and five were injured, reports the daily Nový Čas, citing the Operational Centre of the Slovak Republic's Emergency Medical Service.
The incident occurred near the town of Nové Zámky. The train was travelling from Prague to Budapest. According to the Slovak newspaper, the bus drove onto the tracks and collided with the train. The carriages were full of tourists. Witnesses report that the signal had reportedly not been working since yesterday due to a storm-induced failure.
The spokeswoman for Slovak Railways, Vladimíra Bahýlová, told the Slovak press agency TASR that the accident happened shortly after 16:00 at a protected railway crossing with barriers and light signals. Following the collision, the bus was severely damaged. The train engine was also on fire.
According to information from Slovak Railways, over 100 people were on the train. Czech Railways' locomotive was operated by Czech drivers.
The Operational Centre of the Slovak Republic's Emergency Medical Service reports that the intervention is still ongoing. Five ambulances and three medical helicopters have been dispatched to the accident site.
According to rescuers, the situation is complicated because the nearest hospital in Nové Zámky was affected by Wednesday's torrential downpour and is partially unable to receive the injured.
Minister reacts
The Minister of the Interior, Matúš Šutaj Eštok, and the Deputy Chief of Police for Internal Order and Security, Rastislav Polakovič, are heading to the accident site.
The minister offered condolences to the victims' families and thanked all the responding services. "I received with sadness the news of the tragic collision of a train with a bus near Nové Zámky. I extend my sincere condolences to the victims of this disaster. I wish the injured a speedy recovery," wrote the minister.
