Freight Train Ran Through Red Signal: First Details on the Cause of the Žabno Collision

Unofficial information about the cause of today's collision between a freight and passenger train in Croatia points to a serious operational failure. Mario Grbešić, president of the Croatian Train Traffic Workers' Union, stated for HRT that the freight train passed through the 'STOP' signal at Žabno station, which led to the collision.

"According to currently unofficial information, the cause of the accident is the freight train passing through the 'STOP' signal at Žabno station, for reasons still unknown to us, which led to a collision with the passenger train," said Grbešić. The official cause of the accident is still unknown, and the on-site investigation has been completed.

Passenger Train Had Just Departed from the Stop

Grbešić emphasized that the tragedy could have had far more severe consequences if the accident had occurred at a higher speed. "The fortunate circumstance, if we can call it that, is that the passenger train had stopped at the stop shortly before the accident and had just started moving. The permitted speed on that section is 120 kilometers per hour, but at the moment of the collision, it was significantly lower," he stressed.

In the collision that occurred on August 8, 2026, according to data from N1 Serbia, a total of 20 people were injured. Croatian Railways has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Union on the Ground: 'Safety Is Non-Negotiable'

Union representatives immediately went to the scene after the accident was reported and spoke with the duty traffic controllers at the Gradec and Sveti Ivan Žabno stations. On that occasion, Grbešić reiterated the importance of the human factor in maintaining the safety of railway traffic, especially during infrastructure renewal.

"The railway system is built on safety, and there is no compromise there," Grbešić said. "The safety of the railway system depends entirely on them, and believe me, there is truly no compromise when it comes to traffic," he added, referring to the traffic controllers and locomotive drivers who bear the greatest burden.

The official results of the investigation are not yet known, nor is the date for reopening the line to traffic.