A terrifying crash in Slovakia on Sunday night sent dozens of train passengers to the hospital after an express train slammed into the back of a slower passenger train near the town of Pezinok. Authorities say 80 people were taken to the hospital, with 13 still being treated for injuries. Thankfully, none of the passengers are in life-threatening condition, according to reports from the Associated Press.
The express train, which was carrying around 800 passengers, reportedly passed through a red light before colliding with the other train. Slovak Railways director Ivan Bednárik told local media that the express had started braking before impact, which may have prevented far worse consequences. “The express had already started braking, otherwise the consequences would have been far worse,” Bednárik said.
Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed that investigators believe human error was to blame for the crash. The collision marks Slovakia’s second major rail incident in less than a month. Back on October 13, another crash in the eastern part of the country left 91 people injured, according to Reuters.
Pezinok, located just northeast of the capital city Bratislava, is known for its historic center, wine production, and centuries-old architecture. The town’s official website describes it as “a modern district town with built-up industry” and “a historical center with typical town houses and the remains of the original walls.”
Slovakia’s tourism industry has seen steady growth in recent years, welcoming nearly two million visitors in 2024, according to the European Union.
The tragic collision in Pezinok comes as Europe continues to grapple with a string of public transit accidents. In September, a tram derailment in Lisbon, Portugal, killed at least 15 people and injured 18 others when the Glória Funicular—one of the city’s most iconic tourist trams—came off the tracks and crashed into a nearby building.
Fabiana Pavel, president of Lisbon’s Bairro Alto Residents’ Association, blamed “excessive tourism” for straining the city’s infrastructure, saying the tram had become more of a tourist attraction than a public transport service.
As investigators work to determine exactly what went wrong in Slovakia, the incident serves as another grim reminder of the growing pressure on Europe’s aging transportation systems—many of which are being pushed to their limits by increasing traffic and tourism.
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We are having too many accidents that kill many people. Lord if some are at war with the Countries that have Freedom of Religion, please expose them and stop them. Protect America Countries and all in the World who love and honor You.