Two dead as trains collide near Germany-Czechia border

The collision happened near the village of Pernink, Czechia. /Czechia Police via AP

Two passenger trains collided head-on in western Czechia, killing at least two people onboard and injuring at least 20, officials said on Tuesday.

The Czech Rail Safety Inspectorate said the collision took place after 3 p.m. (1 p.m. GMT) between the stations of Nove Hamry and Pernink, near the border with Germany.

Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. /HZSKVK via AP

Both trains operate between the spa town of Karlovy Vary in Czechia and the town of Johanngeorgenstadt in the German state of Saxony.

Radek Hes, spokesman for the regional rescue service, said the number of injured could reach 30 and that rescuers from neighboring Germany were helping at the site.

He said it was not immediately clear how many passengers were traveling on the trains. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

Source(s): AP