Train collision in Croatia injures at least 20 people FAST-MOVING

train collision Croatia railway accident HŽ Cargo transport safety

A head-on collision between an HŽ Cargo freight train and an HŽ Putničkog prijevoza passenger train occurred at approximately 10:05 a.m. on 8 August 2026. The accident took place on the railway line between the stations Sveti Ivan Žabno and Gradec, near Škrinjari in Croatia.

Reports indicate that approximately 20 to 28 passengers were aboard the passenger train. At least 20 to 24 people were injured in the crash, with several suffering serious injuries. Among the injured, the passenger train driver sustained a broken spine and was taken to KBC Rebro in Zagreb. Some victims were treated at hospitals in Bjelovar, Koprivnica, and Zagreb, with some being placed in intensive care. No fatalities have been reported.

Emergency services, including police, fire departments, and medical teams, responded to the scene. Firefighters prevented a potential fire by pumping fuel out of the locomotives. The railway line between Sveti Ivan Žabno and Gradec has been closed to traffic.

An investigation is being conducted by the police, the State Attorney's Office (DORH), and the Agency for Accident Investigation. Unofficial reports suggest the freight train may have passed a red signal, but officials have not confirmed the cause. Minister of Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure Oleg Butković visited the injured and noted that the passenger train involved was a new electric-battery model.

Entities: Bjelovar · Croatian Railways · Croatian Railways (HŽ) · Gradec · HŽ Cargo · HŽ Cargo freight train · HŽ Putnički prijevoz · HŽ Putničkog prijevoza · Končar · Križevci · Leon Šolčić · Lužani‑Malino level crossing

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 15 SOURCES] More than twenty people were injured, including six seriously injured. (Hrvatski zavod za hitnu medicinu)
[● 13 SOURCES] No fatalities were reported. (Hrvatske željeznice)
[● 16 SOURCES] The railway line between Sveti Ivan Žabno and Gradec was closed to traffic. (Hrvatske željeznice)
[● 12 SOURCES] The freight train was operated by HŽ Cargo. (HŽ Cargo)
[● 14 SOURCES] Rescue operations involved police, fire services, ambulances and a helicopter; injured were taken to hospitals in Bjelovar, Zagreb and Dubrava. (Hrvatski zavod za hitnu medicinu)
[● 20 SOURCES] The collision occurred at approximately 10:05 a.m. on 8 August 2026 near Škrinjari, between the stations Sveti Ivan Žabno and Gradec. (Hrvatska policija)
[● 9 SOURCES] The driver of the passenger train suffered serious injuries, including a broken spine. (Oleg Butković)
[● 11 SOURCES] Approximately twenty passengers were aboard the passenger train. (HŽ)
[● 2 SOURCES] Unofficial reports suggest the freight train passed through a red signal. (Sindikat prometnika vlakova Hrvatske)
[● 7 SOURCES] A collision occurred between an HŽ Cargo freight train and an HŽ Putničkog prijevoza passenger train. (Hrvatske željeznice)