Accidents in rail transport on the rise

Written by Christina Vontin

The number of rail accidents caused by other road users rose again last year.

The accident statistics for 2024 show a worrying trend. 55 people lost their lives due to carelessness and rule violations, while 46 people suffered serious injuries. There were 76 accidents at level crossings, an increase of 15 incidents compared to 2023. 14 of these accidents were fatal, 13 resulted in serious injuries, 13 in minor injuries and 36 in property damage.

This year, the number of accidents at level crossings halved to six incidents so far. There were two fatalities, one serious injury and one minor injury. In the same period last year, 12 accidents with 3 serious and 7 minor injuries were recorded. There has not been a fatal accident at a level crossing caused by MÁV since 2009.

In 2024, there was a dramatically high number of fatal and serious accidents caused by people in prohibited railway operating areas. Last year, 66 accidents were recorded in which pedestrians, cyclists or electric scooters were hit by trains. Electrocutions from overhead lines caused one death and two serious, life-threatening injuries. Twenty-one passengers jumped from moving trains and risked their lives. In total, 103 people committed suicide on the tracks on the MÁV network in 2024.