Czechia’s benzene disaster explained: What happened and what’s next

Officials have declared a state of emergency in a part of Czechia’s Olomouc region, following a train derailment that has caused the largest benzene contamination event of its kind in the world.

The disaster, which happened Feb. 28 near the town of Hustopeče nad Bečvou towards the east of the country, involved a freight train carrying over 1,000 tonnes of toxic benzene. 

The derailment caused a fire that engulfed 17 carriages, with approximately 350 tons of benzene leaking from the tankers. Much of this toxic substance seeped into the surrounding groundwater, posing a severe environmental threat. Nobody was killed or seriously injured.

After extinguishing the fire, rescue authorities began to assess the damage—both environmental and financial. Officials quickly realized that the impact was worse than anticipated: clean-up costs are expected to far exceed the initial estimate.

The scale of the environmental damage is significant, with the estimated costs reaching approximately CZK 1 billion.

Environment Minister Petr Hladík underscored the gravity of the situation: he called the incident “global-first,” noting that the cleanup could take “years.”

Police today expanded their investigation to include the criminal offenses of negligent damage and environmental endangerment, with no charges filed yet. Police are collaborating with forensic experts to determine the cause.

Authorities have confirmed that the benzene contamination has affected both soil and water, including a public well near the site. However, drinking water sources in the region remain unaffected, as they are located far from the contamination zone. 

Officials identified a single contaminated well in a nearby cottage area, but this well has never been approved for drinking water use. Efforts are underway to find a safe location for storing and decontaminating the polluted soil. 

Officials have recorded no contamination of nearby fish, meaning they are safe to eat.

Olomouc Governor Ladislav Okleštěk officially declared the state of emergency at noon on March 28, allowing for accelerated cleanup efforts after workers found higher levels of contaminated soil than first thought. It will be effective for one month, until April 27.

The declaration grants local authorities special powers to manage the crisis more effectively. These powers include the ability to enforce work obligations, expedite clean-up projects, and restrict access to affected areas. Specifically, the local government may prohibit the entry, stay and movement of people in a designated place or area.

Remediation efforts have already begun, with teams digging pits and installing walls to contain the benzene and prevent further spread. The construction of these barriers is progressing quickly, with about 30 meters being completed daily.