A collision occurred on Sunday night between an express train and a passenger train, resulting in 79 passengers requiring hospital treatment, with 13 remaining hospitalized.
The express train crashed into the back of a passenger train near Pezinok, Slovakia, while a total of about 800 people were on board. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the Associated Press.
Prime Minister Robert Fico attributed the incident to human error.
Slovak Railways director Ivan Bednarik mentioned that the first train ran a red light, entering an incorrect section, as reported by the Slovak Spectator. He stated, “The express had already started applying its brakes, otherwise the outcome would have been much worse.”
This incident marks a worrying trend; for instance, another crash in eastern Slovakia injured 91 people just last month.
Pezinok is characterized as a “town in a modern, industrially developed district,” known for its wine production and historical landmarks.
According to the European Union, Slovakia received nearly 2 million tourists in 2024.
In a related incident, a tram carrying tourists in Lisbon, Portugal, crashed in September, leading to at least 15 fatalities and 18 injuries. The tram, a historic cable-pulled system, veered off the tracks and collided with a building.
Fabiana Pavel, of the Bairro Alto Residents Association, blamed the tragedy on “excessive tourism,” noting that its increasing use has rendered it unsuitable for regular public transportation.
The tram in question connects central Lisbon with the Bairro Alto district, attracting numerous tourists annually.
