At least four people, two of whom were Ukrainian nationals, were killed, and more than 30 others injured after a passenger train collided with a freight train in the city of Pardubice, about 100 kilometers east of Prague.
The operator of the passenger train, RegioJet, said 380 passengers were aboard the train late on June 5 that was on its way to the Slovak city of Kosice. Part of the train was then to head onward to the town of Chop, just inside the Ukrainian border.
Czech officials said the cause of the accident, which occurred just before midnight, was under investigation.
“We can't and won't speculate about the cause of the accident," Transport Minister Martin Kupka said.
4 People, Including 2 Ukrainians Killed As Ukraine-Bound Train Crashes In Czech Republic
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that several "trailer cars" in the middle of the train were destined for Chop.
"According to preliminary information, 4 people died. Among them are two citizens of Ukraine. the citizenships of the others who died are being clarified," the ministry statement said, adding that the consulate office located in Brno is at the scene of the accident and is liaising with local rescue and law enforcement agencies.
Footage of the crash on the news website idnes.cz showed at least one carriage off the track. A post by the Czech police on its X social media account showed a column of emergency service vehicles and a helicopter.
Thousands of Ukrainians who had to flee Ukraine for EU member states after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 use the connection via Slovakia to visit their homeland.