Emergency in Czechia: hundreds of tons of benzene spill into lake after train derailment
Czech authorities are battling massive water contamination with benzene following a train accident — the damage is already estimated at tens of millions of euros.
In the eastern part of the Olomouc Region of Czechia, efforts continue to eliminate the consequences of a technological disaster that occurred on February 28 at the Hustopeče station, reports Euronews.
A freight train carrying more than 1,000 tons of benzene derailed, presumably due to excessive speed.
Following the accident, a fire broke out, engulfing most of the 17 cars. About 350 tons of the toxic substance leaked into the lake and groundwater, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency.
Authorities immediately began rescue and cleanup operations. Dozens of pits were dug around the contaminated body of water, and metal barriers were installed to contain the chemicals.
Experts are extracting the benzene and monitoring the contamination. According to preliminary estimates, the damage exceeds 40 million euros. The state of emergency will remain in effect until April 27.
Earlier, it was reported that on the morning of March 25 in the Czech city of Polička, an explosion occurred at a manufacturing facility associated with ammunition production.
As a result of the incident, one person was injured, and the facility’s staff was urgently evacuated by emergency services.