Kathmandu— At least 20 people sustained injuries on Saturday morning when a passenger train collided with a freight train between the Sveti Ivan Zabno and Gradec railway stations in Croatia. The collision, which occurred around 10:00 a.m. local time approximately 60 kilometers east of Zagreb, left six individuals with serious injuries and 14 others with minor injuries.

Casualties and Emergency Response

The passenger train, which was carrying 27 people at the time of the impact, suffered significant damage, including a buckled roof and torn exterior panels. Victims were transported to hospitals in Bjelovar and Koprivnica, with some patients later transferred to medical facilities in Zagreb for further care. One young woman was placed in intensive care but is reported to be in stable condition.

Koprivnica-Krizevci County Prefect Tomislav Golubic expressed gratitude to the 50 firefighters involved in the rescue operation. Golubic also praised a local civilian who arrived at the scene with a personal forklift, noting that the assistance made it easier for emergency services to tend to the injured.

Investigation Into Cause of Collision

The collision occurred on the Zagreb–Bjelovar line, and authorities are currently working to determine the exact cause of the accident. Damir Loncaric of Croatian Railways confirmed that an investigation into the collision is underway.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomo Medved, who visited the site following the accident, stated that preliminary information suggests the crash may have been caused by either technical failure or human error. However, he emphasized that the final determination must be left to the competent authorities.

Reports of Signal Violation

Unofficial reports suggest that the freight train, operated by HŽ Karga, may have passed a stop signal before striking the passenger train. This follows a recent rail incident in Poland, where a train struck a trailer at a level crossing, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding railway safety and driver compliance.

An investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.