A dramatic incident occurred in southern Poland on Friday when a freight train derailed. “Several of the railcars fell into the Poprad River,” said the mayor of Piwniczna-Zdrój, Tomasz Michałowski. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The derailment of six empty freight wagons occurred at 3:35 p.m. on the Wierchomla–Piwniczna section of the railway line. The train was traveling from Muszyna to Kędzierzyn-Koźle. Emergency crews from PKP Polish Railway Lines (PKP PLK) are working at the scene. PKP PLK spokesperson Piotr Hamarnik said it is not yet known how long the disruption will last. Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment and carrying out work to restore rail traffic.
PKP Intercity announced that replacement bus services have been introduced on the Stary Sącz–Wierchomla section for IC train No. 33100 “Malinowski” from Krynica-Zdrój and TLK train No. 30105 “Małopolska” to Krynica-Zdrój. A replacement bus service will also operate between Muszyna and Kraków Główny for TLK train No. 33170 “Karpaty” from Krynica-Zdrój.
Passengers have been asked to follow the latest train service updates on the Passenger Portal and pay attention to station announcements.
Railcars in the River
Piwniczna-Zdrój Mayor Tomasz Michałowski wrote on social media that some of the derailed wagons ended up in the current of the Poprad River.
“A freight train derailed into the Poprad River near Wierchomla. As a result, the railway line toward Krynica-Zdrój and in the opposite direction will remain closed for the next several hours,” the mayor said.
There have been no reports of injuries, and the cause of the derailment remains unknown.