At least four dead as Ukraine-bound passenger train collides with freighter in Czechia

That’s according to iDNES, Ukrinform reports.

"In Pardubice, not far from the newly built stop in the city center, an overnight express collided with a freight train at around midnight. Four were killed, dozens were injured," the report said.

The press secretary of the Pardubice Rescue Service clarified about an hour after midnight that four people were killed as a result of the collision.

Minister of Internal Affairs Vit Rakušan is on his way to the scene of the incident in Pardubice together with Minister of Transport Martin Kupka.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the train wreck was “a big tragedy”, expressing condolences to those who lost their loved ones.

There are children among dozens of those affected. The entire Integrated Rescue System, including helicopters, was involved in the emergency response operation.

"Thirty-six units of professional and volunteer firefighters arrived at the scene," said the press secretary of the Pardubice Fire Department, Vendula Horakova.

According to the emergency services, nearly 300 passengers were onboard the RegioJet express train. The front carriage was completely destroyed.

Photo: Kryshtof Zhenati, MF DNES