Railway investigation concludes benzene train derailment was caused by driver error

The Railway Inspectorate has concluded its investigation into the major train derailment near Hustopeče nad Bečvou involving toxic benzene. The accident, which occurred in late February 2025, resulted in the derailment of 15 out of 17 tankers, causing fires and contaminating air, soil, and groundwater.

The investigation, published via the European Union Agency for Railways, identified the primary cause as driver error. The train entered the station at 95 km/h, significantly exceeding the 40 km/h limit. The report noted that the main driver was on his first trip with a Siemens Vectron locomotive following a competency exam completed that same day. Additionally, the instructor on board was reportedly distracted by a laptop rather than monitoring the journey.

Beyond driver error, the report highlights a chain of failures, including risk management deficiencies within Správa železnic regarding track modernization and signal placement. While the Railway Inspectorate has finalized its findings, the full report remains withheld from the public at the request of the police, who are conducting a criminal investigation into environmental damage and public endangerment. Total damages are estimated to exceed 434 million CZK, though final costs may rise.