Urząd Transportu Kolejowego confirms safety risks for Kraków-Hrubieszów trains

Correspondence from the Office of Rail Transport (UTK) has highlighted significant safety concerns regarding the SD85 series diesel multiple units used on the Kraków–Hrubieszów route. These vehicles, manufactured in the late 1990s and leased to PKP Intercity by SKPL Cargo, have been involved in multiple recent incidents.

On June 29, 2026, an engine fire occurred in the IC Kasztelan train at Dębica station during a heatwave. The incident required the intervention of five fire departments and the evacuation of between 150 and 250 passengers. The train driver also suffered smoke inhalation. The UTK preliminarily classified this as a category B24 accident.

Seventeen days later, on July 16, 2026, the IC Hetman experienced an engine failure and leakage at Tarnów station, causing heavy smoke and blocking rail traffic. This was preliminarily classified as a category B10 accident. Investigations into these incidents follow allegations that the carrier provided conflicting explanations regarding the causes of the failures.