On Sunday afternoon, transportation links between the eastern and western regions of the country were severely disrupted. On the Košice–Kostoľany nad Hornádom section, a tragic collision occurred between the REX 1962 regional train and a person who was on the tracks. Hundreds of passengers returning home or to school en masse after the weekend were affected by this incident.
The incident brought traffic to a standstill on one of the country’s most important transportation arteries. The transportation section provides detailed information on which routes were affected by delays and what travelers should expect.
How the accident affected the main rail corridor
The service disruption affected not only commuter services but also long-distance mainline routes. The key Košice–Žilina–Bratislava rail corridor was hit the hardest.
According to Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), rescue operations were promptly launched at the scene. Trains in both directions began to accumulate significant delays, the duration of which depends directly on the work of police and medical personnel on the tracks.
Why the Situation Received Significant Attention
The incident occurred during the usual rush hour—on Sunday afternoon. During this time, thousands of people, including students and workers, travel from eastern Slovakia to the west.
The national rail operator noted that such tragic incidents are completely beyond their control. Company representatives expressed regret for the inconvenience and urged travelers to be understanding of the unpredictable situation on the tracks.
Recommendations for Passengers
If you or your friends are currently traveling between Košice and Bratislava, please be aware of the following restrictions:
- Trains may be delayed indefinitely, which will also disrupt the schedules of subsequent trains.
- Disruptions and delays may persist even after the section’s capacity has officially been restored.
- Before heading to the station, be sure to check the current status of your train using official apps or the railway’s online schedule board.
