Train on Fire, Rail Transport on Puchov-Hranice na Morave Stretch Suspended

Bratislava, February 28 (TASR) - Rail transport on the Puchov-Hranice na Morave line has been suspended since Friday morning due to a train crash in the Czech Republic, state-owned rail passenger carrier ZSSK reported on a social network on the same day. "Substitute bus transport has been provided in both directions on the Hranice na Morave-Valasske Mezirici section," said ZSSK spokesperson Dominik Drevicky, while warning of train delays. A train engine and cargo tank wagons are on fire near the Czech village of Hustopece nad Becvou, with toxic benzene leaking out of the train. The crash site is shrouded in billowing black smoke. Firefighters have declared a special state of emergency to prevent civilians from approaching the burning train. According to preliminary information, the train wagons tore apart and were subsequently derailed. Slovak firefighters have been providing assistance to their Czech counterparts. mf/df