At least four people were killed and 23 others left injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train in the Czech Republic early Thursday, officials said.
The accident occurred in Pardubice, about 62 miles east of Prague, and has reportedly led to significant travel disruptions in the area.
Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said none of the injured passengers were in life-threatening condition. More than 300 people were onboard the high-speed passenger train heading to Kosice, Slovakia, at the time of the collision.
The train had been operated by the private company RegioJet, Reuters reported, citing the local Railway Administration.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, but local news agency CTK reported that both train conductors survived the crash.
“We can’t and won’t speculate about the cause of the accident,” stated Transport Minister Martin Kupka, who added that an investigation is ongoing.
Czech Railways, the state-run train company, indicated that the track will likely remain closed for the entire day due to the severity of the accident.
With News Wire Services
