Three people died and eleven were injured when two trains, a passenger service and a freight train, collided on a Friday night near Rajic, close to Novska in eastern Croatia. At about 9:30 p.m. local time, the freight train struck the passenger train as it slowed near the junction, sending passengers to hospitals while emergency crews rushed to the scene. This information was shared by a regional police spokesperson in statements relayed by the Croatian state broadcaster HRT.
Authorities confirmed that three of the deceased are Croatian citizens, and eight of the injured are foreign nationals. The Croatian Civil Protection directorate reported that paramedics, firefighters, police, and railway workers joined the response operation, with other officials also arriving to assist at the crash site.
By midnight, Fire Brigade Commander Marijo Paluh told HRT that no one remained trapped inside the trains. He noted that victims were rescued promptly as emergency services arrived and worked to stabilize the situation on the ground.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, accompanied by Health Minister Vili Beros, traveled to the area to oversee the response. He expressed condolences to the families of those affected and emphasized that the cause of the collision would be determined through a formal investigation. In a public statement, the prime minister conveyed thanks to all services that aided the injured and those who supported the search and rescue operation. He added that information on victims would be shared with families through the Red Cross in Novska and that, based on the current report, none of the eleven victims were in immediate danger. He cautioned, however, that the final update would clarify whether any additional fatalities occurred.
Novska’s mayor, Marija Kusmus, offered condolences to the relatives and praised the emergency responders for their efforts. She thanked the responders who remained on the field and said the city would stay connected with the families of those injured and lost as the investigation progresses to uncover the reasons behind the crash.