Czech firefighters get toxic train fire in Moravia under control

An intense fire broke out in a derailed freight train near Hustopeče nad Bečvou in Czechia's Olomouc region on Friday, after several tankers carrying benzene caught fire. The blaze, which had caused substantial concern due to the dangerous nature of the chemicals, is now under control as firefighting teams continue to manage the situation.

The train derailed at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Friday, causing a series of tankers, loaded with over a thousand kilograms of flammable benzene, to catch fire. There have been no reports of injuries.

While the situation has been contained as of Saturday morning, experts are still working to address any lingering risks, particularly the toxic remnants in the damaged tankers. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the derailment which led to the fire.

The derailment occurred at a rail switch near the Hustopeče nad Bečvou station, where the freight train, traveling from Valašské Meziříčí, lost its connection and several of its tankers derailed.

This triggered a fire in at least 14 tankers carrying highly flammable benzene, a chemical produced by the DEZA company in nearby Valašské Meziříčí. Authorities have estimated the damage at approximately CZK 125 million.

Firefighters from multiple regions, including some from Slovakia, responded to the fire. The fire was tackled from both the ground and air, with helicopters used to help manage the large-scale operation.

As of the latest reports on Saturday morning, fire units are still stationed at the site, ensuring no flare-ups occur, while efforts to pump the remaining hazardous substance from the tanks are underway.

Authorities have raised the alarm to the highest fire hazard level, which is typically reserved for extraordinary situations. The operation is expected to continue over the weekend, with dozens of firefighters on site working to mitigate any further risks posed by the incident.

The train derailment has caused several significant disruptions to local rail services, with train traffic indefinitely suspended on the route between Hustopeče nad Bečvou and Lhotka nad Bečvou.

Passengers can use replacement bus services, but some routes are subject to diversions. The service disruptions may continue for several weeks as investigations and cleanup efforts progress.

In addition to transport disruptions, environmental concerns were initially raised regarding the possibility of toxic fumes affecting the air quality. However, authorities have confirmed that air quality monitoring has not shown any breaches of permissible limits, and the local communities, including Hustopeče nad Bečvou, are not at risk.

Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the derailment and the fire, focusing on potential negligence. However, the police have stated that additional charges may be considered as new information comes to light.

News of the Czech train derailment and fire has reached international press, with reports in BBC News and other outlets.