Railway accident in the Czech Republic: Toxic benzene train derails and burns!

Railway accident in the Czech Republic: Toxic benzene train derails and burns!

On February 28, 2025, a freight train loaded with toxic and flammable benzene derailed in the Přerov region, Czech Republic. The derailed locomotive and at least five tank cars caught fire and caused a violent fire. Pictures show flames and a massive column of black smoke, which immediately triggered a special alert by the fire department to fight the fire fireworld.at reported. The local fire brigade was deployed with a large number to fight the fire and prevent it from spreading. The dangerous fumes prompted an urgent warning for residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

Fortunately, there were no injuries in this incident; However, the exact cause of the derailment is still unclear and is being investigated by the relevant authorities. This situation highlights the potential dangers associated with transporting hazardous substances such as benzene by rail. Benzene is a volatile organic compound that can cause cancer in humans and can also cause acute health problems, such as tagesspiegel.de points out. The affected town of Hustopece nad Becvou, about 250 kilometers east of Prague, has almost 1,800 inhabitants and is not blameless when it comes to such accidents. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, which also raise alarming security questions.

Due to the accident, several Eurocity trains heading to Slovakia were canceled, meaning passengers had to continue their journey by bus. The affected section of the route was closed, which led to significant disruptions to rail traffic. This is not the first incident of this kind in the Czech Republic; For example, in January 2017, a freight train derailed in Studenka, leaking benzene but not causing an explosion. The recurrence of such incidents is alarming and raises questions about safety precautions when handling dangerous goods.