After the collision of express trains near the village of Jablonov nad Turnou in the Rožňava district, seven people are in critical condition, 14 people are moderately injured and 48 are slightly injured. This was announced by the Minister of Health Kamil Šaško (Hlas) at a briefing at the scene of the accident, adding that a total of 91 people were treated. According to the railways, there were up to 80 passengers and four railway employees on the trains. Minister Šaško also stated that"it is perhaps a miracle that there were no losses of human life".

Most important information

• Shortly after 10:00, Gemeran express trains collided near Rožňava
• The accident has so far been without casualties, seven people are fighting for their lives
• 14 people are moderately injured, 48 lightly injured
• There were about 80 passengers and four employees on the trains
• Seven ambulances and three helicopters intervened
• According to Minister Šutaj Eštok, the human factor failed in the accident
• Hospitals in Košice and Prešov activated the traumatology plan
• The accident occurred in the section where the double-track line converges into the single-track
• Line The railways want to open the section on Tuesday

After about six hours, the fire and rescue service concluded that all passengers, including the train drivers, were successfully rescued after the collision and are safe. The intervention is still ongoing, firefighters are assisting the police and experts in documenting the accident and continuing to secure the site from a fire safety perspective. Seven ground ambulances and three rescue helicopters responded to the scene.

"91 patients or citizens went through triage, that is, the proper process, of which seven are the so-called red ones in the most serious condition, if you like, in critical or with serious injuries, 14 are moderately injured and 48 are lightly injured," the minister said.

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas) also confirmed that no victims of the accident have been reported so far."I think it is a great tragedy, but let's hope that the number of people who are seriously injured will not increase, but especially that this collision of two trains will not cost any human lives," he said.

They activated trauma plans

Šaško said he spoke with the director of the Rožňava and Košice hospitals."Both of these hospitals have activated trauma plans and, I think, they are handling it very well so far, within their capabilities," he said, adding that he also visits the hospitals in person.

Šutaj Eštok had earlier spoken of around a hundred slightly injured, two people in critical condition and three trapped people. At a press conference, he said that in his opinion this was an extraordinary traffic accident, which probably occurred due to human error. One of the train drivers probably did not give way to the other.

The accident occurred in a section where trains are allowed to travel at a speed of 100 km/h and where the double-track line merges into a single-track line, reported the railpage website. It is clear that if the trains or one of them had been travelling at this speed, the collision would probably have ended much more tragically.

Panic, horror and joy of survival. Footage directly from the scene of the train accident near Rožňava

"I don't want to speculate about the causes at this point, but according to initial information, it's not a system error, but a human factor failure. It turns out that one of the locomotive drivers made a mistake and probably didn't give way, but for now it's only a preliminary version," said Šutaj Eštok.

The police on the social network, however, reported that"according to preliminary information, there were approximately 80 passengers on the trains. According to the findings so far, no one was killed".

Kilometer-long columns formed under the Soroška mountain pass after the train accident. The road is now fully passable."We thank all drivers who respected the instructions of the police during the day. The closure of the main road was necessary for the smooth and rapid transfer of injured people to hospitals, as well as for the safe performance of rescue and documentation work," the police explained.

#WARNING UPDATE: two express trains collided near Jablonov nad Turňou, the Soroška mountain pass is closed, passenger cars will detour via Úhorná, Štós and Jasov.

— Zelená vlna STVR (@zelenavlna) October 13, 2025

Among those treated is a woman from Vietnam and a pregnant woman

Among the patients treated at the Louis Pasteur University Hospital (UNLP) in Košice was a patient from Vietnam and a pregnant woman. A total of 33 patients were treated at the hospital's trauma surgery clinic, of which four were in serious condition and in immediate danger of life, nine had serious injuries, and the rest had minor injuries. This was announced by the head of the clinic, Rastislav Burda, at a press conference at UNLP.

"The positive information is that all patients survived and we are doing everything we can to stabilize them," Burda said of the seriously injured. After receiving information about the accident, UNLP activated the trauma plan, and the patients were also transported to the hospital by a fire evacuation bus."One patient was from Vietnam, she was stabilized and treated as an outpatient. Among the patients was also one pregnant patient, so the spectrum of patients was very wide, ranging from young to old people," the head said. According to him, the pregnant woman underwent a gynecological examination.

Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) informed that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed solidarity with him by phone, who offered Slovakia assistance in this regard."I thanked Hungary for its solidarity and support and informed the minister that the care of all the injured, as well as the work on the spot, is fully provided by the Slovak rescue services," the head of Slovak diplomacy explained.

The police have initiated criminal prosecution for public endangerment in connection with the collision. The Košice Regional Police reported on this on social media. The police used a service drone and a 3D scanner to document the scene, and service dogs were also deployed to inspect the wider area around the accident.

Police also said that the driver of one of the trains was subjected to a breath test and a drug test at the scene with negative results."Given the extent of his injuries, the other driver was airlifted to hospital, where biological material will be taken to determine the presence of alcohol and drugs," the police added.

After the accident, the Louis Pasteur University Hospital (UNLP) Košice activated the trauma plan."One patient with serious injuries was transported by helicopter to the trauma surgery clinic, he is currently in the operating room," UNLP spokeswoman Ladislava Šustová informed.

The J. A. Reiman University Hospital and Polyclinic (FNsP) in Prešov provided medical assistance to 12 patients. One of them suffered a serious injury, 11 patients were treated with minor injuries. The patient with a serious injury suffered a spinal injury and is hospitalized in the trauma surgery department. His condition is stabilized. Another 11 patients were gradually treated with minor injuries in the trauma clinic, mostly lacerations, abrasions, and bruises caused by impact. Most of them can be discharged to home treatment," said the hospital's director, Juraj Smatana.

The hospital in Rožňava on Monday admitted six patients from the scene of a serious traffic accident that occurred near the village of Jablonov nad Turnou, informed Penta Hospitals SK PR specialist Bianka Krejčíová. Two of the patients were admitted with serious injuries and had to undergo surgery.

"They are currently in a stabilized condition and remain in the care of our doctors," Krejčíová specified, adding that four other patients were admitted with moderate and minor injuries. Two of them remain hospitalized, while the others were discharged for home treatment.

The hospital immediately activated its trauma plan after the incident was reported and was fully prepared to receive a larger number of patients. The hospital is also expecting a visit from the Minister of Health in the early evening.

Three helicopters in the air

The Air Transport Europe air rescue service reported shortly after noon that three rescue helicopters were responding to the scene of the accident."Given the number of injured, the rescue helicopter from Košice is currently returning to the scene of the accident for the second time. The air rescue crews are providing emergency medical care on site and ensuring air transport of the most seriously injured patients to hospitals," the air rescuers said.

The Slovak Railway Company reported that the train collision occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. at the point where the tracks cross and turn into a single track. The trains involved were the R 913 and R 914 GEMERAN express trains.

According to ZSSK spokesman Ján Baček, there were up to 80 passengers and four railway employees on the trains. One of the employees suffered serious injuries and is in the care of rescuers, the other employees are fine."All information about the health condition of the passengers and the extent of the injuries is provided by the rescue services and the police. Of our four colleagues who were on the trains, one suffered serious injuries and is in the care of rescuers. The other three are fine and are cooperating in the evacuation and provision of information," Baček explained.

The CEO of Železnice SR, Ivan Bednárik, announced that the track near Jablonov nad Turňou could be open to traffic on Tuesday, October 14, after the accident. Equipment is heading to the scene to clear it when the investigation allows.

"ZSSK provides cooperation and ensures care for its passengers and employees. We are continuously updating information according to the development of the situation," added Baček.

"The cause of the collision is under investigation. At this moment, the priority is the rescue and evacuation of passengers and our employees. Replacement bus service is provided on the route," the carrier informed.

Bishops Bober and Stolárik pray for the injured

The Chairman of the Bishops' Conference of Slovakia (KBS) and Metropolitan Archbishop of Košice, Bernard Bober, together with Bishop of Rožňava Stanislav Stolárik, expressed spiritual closeness and solidarity with all those injured and affected by the train accident.

"In our prayers, we think of all the injured, their families and all those who have been touched by this tragic event. We pray for their strength, peace and speedy recovery," the bishops said.

They also expressed their sincere gratitude to all the rescue services, doctors, paramedics, police officers and volunteers who immediately intervened and selflessly helped those affected."We pray that the Lord God will strengthen them in their service and grant blessings to all who bring hope and relief in these difficult times," they added.

Politics aside

President Peter Pellegrini wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured in the high-speed train collision. He believes that the causes of the accident will be investigated as soon as possible."I thank all rescue services for their work. I believe that the causes of the accident will be investigated as soon as possible so that people in Slovakia can trust the safety of public transport," the head of state wrote on the social network.

Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) expressed hope that there will be no casualties in the accident. He wished all the injured a speedy recovery. He wrote this on the social network.

"I am in direct contact with Minister Ráž and Minister of the Interior Šutaj Eštok, who are on their way to the scene of the tragedy," the prime minister informed. He added that he was against any premature conclusions."Therefore, a thorough investigation must clarify the causes of this tragedy," he concluded.

The high-speed train accident must be thoroughly investigated, politics must now be put aside. This was stated by the chairman of Progressive Slovakia Michal Šimečka in reaction to the accident."The collision of two high-speed trains is a terrible accident. Most of all, I wish that there are no casualties and that the injured recover as quickly as possible," said Šimečka.

The Freedom and Solidarity Party (SaS) wrote on its social network that it is thinking of all those involved in the train accident."We wish all the injured a speedy recovery," added SaS.

"God protect all who were on the trains," responded the Slovakia movement, which thanked all rescue services for their immediate assistance."May this terrifying collision of two express trains in eastern Slovakia end without casualties and may the injuries be as minimal as possible," the movement wrote on the social network.

The chairman of the Democrats party also expressed support for those involved in the accident."I am thinking of everyone who was affected by the train collision in Jablonov nad Turnou. We all hope for a speedy recovery for the injured, and I believe that the tragedy will not have more serious consequences. We are with you," Nad added.